Helen J. Skogen

Helen J. Skogen, 89, passed away, August 21, 2008 at Wynwood of Columbia Edgewater in Richland.

Helen was born on December 20, 1918, to Norwegian immigrant parents, Hans and Karen Skogen of Parshall, North Dakota where she spent her childhood and adolescence.

She graduated from the then Minat State Teachers College in Minat, North Dakota, where she received her Bachelors of Arts in education. Her graduate studies were done in summer sessions at the University of the University of Minnesota, the University of Colorado, the Central Washington University, and the Iowa State College at Ames where she attended on a National Science Foundation Fellowship.

Helen's teaching career began in North Dakota, where she taught for three years before migrating to Washington State in 1943. She taught in Snohomish and Toppenish before coming to Richland in 1948. She was head of the Math Department at then Columbia High School now Richland High School until her retirement in 1982. She taught thousands of Richland youth, many of which still live in the area and stopped her on the street to visit. They always mentioned that Helen hadn't changed a bit to which she would respond, "You mean I always looked this bad?"

Helen traveled extensively with her friend and companion of 45 years. Marion Hankwitz. Helen and Marion attended 13 sessions of Elder hosted in various locations around the United States and vacationed for two weeks each for 12 years with friends Shirley and Julia Davis in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Helen volunteered at the Richland Food Bank and was active in the Retired Educators Association and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She was also a charter member of the Richland Lutheran Church.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Oscar and Harold, sister, Betty and long time friend and companion Marion Hankwitz. She is survived by her niece Lauraine Dalen of Arlington, VA; nephews Roger Dalen of Green Cove Springs, FL; Larry Dalen of Edgewood, MD; numerous great and great great nieces and nephews, an extended chosen family of close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday August 27, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at the Richland Lutheran Church, 901 Van Giesen, Richland.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Benton Franklin School of Retirees Association BFSRA in c/o Donald Parks, President at 412 Rd 37, Pasco, WA 99301, the Wesleyan Service Guild Treasurer at 1124 Stevens Drive, Richland, WA 99352 or the Good News Media, Richland Lutheran Church, 901 Van Giesen, Richland, WA 99352.