Helen Ruth Kline passed away peacefully in Portland, Oregon on Saturday January 16, 2016. She began her life in Seattle, Washington on November 10, 1924, born to Howard Mycrantz Eddy and Erma Smith Eddy. Helen graduated from Roosevelt High in 1942 and attended the University of Washington majoring in the sciences. She married John Ralph Kline in 1945, and they ultimately settled with their family in Portland, Oregon.

Helen met her husband John, who was in the Navy Air Corp at the time, at a dance party for graduates of the Seattle based radio school. The event just happened to take place in a building that Helen’s father was in charge of and she was present. This chance meeting eventually led to plans for marriage. Helen’s parents put her on a train bound for Liberty, Missouri where John was attending pre-flight school. Their nuptials took place on March 16, 1945. After the war, Helen and John settled down in Seattle, living in an apartment space that John built in Helen’s parent’s basement. While John worked on his electrical engineering degree at the University of Washington, Helen was busy with the new family. Daughters Leslie and Nancy were both born in Seattle to the young couple during this time.

After graduating, John moved Helen and the family to Portland to begin his 23-year career with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in the hydroelectric division. Meanwhile, the family was completed with the birth of their son Stan in 1954. Family was always very important to Helen. She loved to sew clothing for the girls and herself, and she enjoyed making the garden and home a pleasant place for the family to hang out and return for visits later in life.

Helen was busy outside the home, participating in Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and David Douglas school district PTA activities, being a poll worker at election time, working on special events for the local IEEE chapter, and volunteering regularly at the Albertina Kerr closet. Helen and John were active long-time members of Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church and enjoyed sharing times with the Buoys and Gulls group. She also liked reading with the local library book club, attending plays, and going to art shows. To keep in shape, Helen enjoyed swimming laps with John in the backyard pool. They possessed a great love for the outdoors — walking, hiking, and camping along the coast, in central Oregon, and on cross-country trips with the children. Traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe with friends and family brought much pleasure to Helen’s life.

Helen was preceded in death by John, her devoted husband of 56 years, and younger sister Esther Eddy Cothran. She is survived by daughters Leslie Brown (Paul) of Portland, Oregon; Nancy Chaney (Keedy) of North Bend, Oregon; and son Stanley Kline (Linda) of Pleasanton, California. She has five grandchildren, Brian Chaney (Brooke), Rhonda Robbins (Jeff), Peter Chaney, Ian Roberts (Melissa), and Derek Brown. There are five great-grandchildren, Kennon and Mia Chaney, Jacob and Olivia Robbins, and Lucas Roberts.

A Celebration of Life ceremony followed by a reception will be held at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church located at 1740 SE 139th Avenue, Portland, OR 97233 on Saturday, March 12 at 3:00 pm. Interment at Willamette National Cemetery will be private.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, to Albertina Kerr, or to Casey Eye Institute at OHSU.

Born: November 10, 1924 Death: January 16, 2016

Celebration of Life

Saturday March 12, 2016 , 3:00 pm at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church

Interment at Willamette National Cemetery will be private. Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.

Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, to Albertina Kerr, or to Casey Eye Institute at OHSU