Helenann Holmes

We have another angel…Helenann Janise Ardelle Holmes passed away March 19, 2014 a week short of her 87th birthday. She was born on March 27, 1921 in Custer, Washington, her mother being the parade queen of Lynden, Dorothy (Brown) Neidhart and her father being the strong and handsome logger, George Neidhart. Her birth was even more than a miracle than the rest of us as it occurred solo on the kitchen table. George did what he could and a midwife finally got to the scene with skills necessary to complete the job. That is the way it was in some cases back in those days, and it would not surprise anyone if Dorothy would have cooked dinner that night…these were people that did not use excuses for such things. Helenann grew up in Wenatchee for the most part, on Walker Street, where the family had a small store; the 2014 version of a convenience store. All the Neidhart kids worked the store with Dorothy while George had a day job as a self-employed carpenter. Just after World War II, Helenann, a most attractive young woman, met the dashing Al Roth, Jr. and they were married in the latter half of the 1940’s. From that marriage were born Coke in 1949 and Neenah in 1952. Helenann and Al divorced in the late 1950’s, after which Helenann married local businessman Frank Holmes, that union later being blessed with their daughter, Dotty in 1963. Helenann was a relatively private person; preferring to hang at her home on Moses Lake, and choosing to be a most caring and nurturing mother and wife. She loved and was so talented at sewing, ceramics, gardening and preserving fruits she grew. It is without doubt that her pies and preserves will get Blue Ribbons at the Heaven County Fair as they did in perennial fashion at the Grant County Fair. Her parents, George and Dorothy Neidhart, and sister Donnette predeceased her, as did her grandson, Gabriel John. She leaves behind sisters Charlene Mosca and Susan Hoffeintz, brother Don Neidhart, children Coke Roth, Neenah Roth and Dotty Holmes, eight of the most talented, cute and bright grandchildren that were ever created (according to her) and ten (and counting) great-grandchildren and step-son, Bud Holmes. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L NE, Moses Lake. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Grant County Animal Outreach, 6725 Randolph Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837 Finally, the family thanks you for being the friend of our departed matriarch we loved so dearly.

Helenann Holmes

March 27, 1927 - March 19, 2014