Helen Elinor Lahti

Helen Elinor Lahti was born Aug. 27, 1917, in Butte, Mont., to Helen and John Dasch. Raised in Salem, Ore., Helen was one of 12 children. She graduated from high school and attended college.

Helen was married to John Lahti for 50 years. They raised four children on a farm in Svensen. With John’s father, John Lahti Sr., four Lahti generations lived on this farm.

Helen was a homemaker who was very involved in her community. For 15 years, she had part-time employment with the Bureau of the Census. Helen had a busy and full life bringing up her family and having many hobbies, such as canning, cooking Finnish dishes, needlework, collecting antiques, fishing, and traveling and playing golf with John. Helen and John spent 18 years as snowbirds to Arizona.

Helen is survived by her children, Edla Gano, Veja Lahti, Toivo Lahti, Ric Lahti, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by two sisters and two brothers.

There will be a celebration of life at Clatsop Retirement Village on Thursday, May 21, at 2 p.m. All friends are invited.

Donations in Helen’s honor may be made to the American Diabetes Association.