Helen Pearl Farmer

Helen Pearl Hansen Farmer, 98 (in her 99th year, as she would say), passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Saturday March 4th at the Sagewood at Daybreak Senior Living Center in South Jordan, Utah. Helen was born in a little two-room log house on a dry farm in Teton, Idaho on December 9, 1918. She was the third child, and second daughter, of Antone Vernstine and Stella Butler Hansen who later had two more daughters. She was born with the flu and the doctor didn’t expect her to live through the night. She has proven him wrong for 98 plus years. Helen’s father expected and wanted to have a boy when she was born, so he started calling her “Jimmy” which stuck with her through her teen years. The name seemed to fit as she was a tomboy who was assigned farm chores alongside the boys. She had a happy lively childhood, despite the hard farm work, frigid Idaho winters, the Great Depression, and severe illnesses (Pneumonia and Rheumatic Fever). Helen attended Lavaside Elementary and graduated from Firth High School in 1937. She went on to attend business school at Henager’s Business College in Salt Lake City. In 1939, Helen met and married Weldon Lewis. They had two children, Bob and Ann. Weldon’s life was cut short by severe illness in 1943. As a young widow, Helen raised her children alone (but not without the help of her parents, sisters, and nieces) for 5 years. She married Dewey Duane Farmer in 1948. Dewey and Helen’s little family grew with the addition of two more boys, Craig and Nyle. Helen supported Dewey’s career in law enforcement which gave them the opportunity to live in Pocatello, Boise, and Meridian Idaho, Reno Nevada, and Yakima Washington. Together, they purchased land in 1956 and built a cabin on I.P. Bills Island in Island Park, Idaho. When Dewey retired, they lived in their cabin for several years year-round and then lived the “snowbird” way of life by residing in a retirement community in Yuma, Arizona in the winters and in their cabin during the summers. Even while living in retirement homes in Draper and South Jordan, Utah, Helen returned to their cabin each summer. She had a great love for the beauty of Island Park and their cabin home. Helen was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in various capacities including Primary, Young Women’s Secretary, Sunday School Secretary and Relief Society President. She enjoyed serving others, especially her family. Helen’s pride and joy were her children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was proud of their accomplishments and endeavors. She frequently reminded them that she loved them more than anything else. Helen is survived by her three sons, Robert (Veronika) Farmer of South Jordan Utah, Craig Farmer of Island Park Idaho, and Nyle (Terri) Farmer of Selah Washington; 24 grandchildren, 81 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dewey Duane Farmer; her brother, Arvel Hansen, her sisters, Vella Mecham, Donna Neider, June Plummer; her daughter, Helen Ann Lewis; her grandson, Shad Farmer; her great-granddaughter, Mia McClellan and her great-great granddaughter, Molly Shupe. Funeral services will take place at the Creekside Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints (5072 West Roaring Road, South Jordan, Utah) on Saturday, March 18th, 2017 at 10:00 am. Viewing will be at the same location one hour prior. Internment and graveside service will be June 10th at 11am in Island Park Idaho.