Helen Patrina Stepper

Helen Patrina (Mikelsen) Stepper, 96 years, passed away January 6, 2014 at Ballard Care and Rehabilitation Center in Seattle, WA. She was born March 22, 1917 in Port Orchard (Banner), WA to Mike (Mikkal Andreas) and Anna Louise (Larsen) Mikelsen, both immigrants from northern Norway.

Helen grew up in the Port Orchard, WA area. She attended Banner School and graduated from South Kitsap Union High School, Port Orchard, WA in 1935. As young girls, Helen and Myrtle would take fresh chickens and eggs from the farm – by ferry from Manchester – to sell at the Pike Place Market; then they would visit relatives in Ballard.

Helen retired as a Toolroom Mechanic at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1965.

Helen married Donald D. Rowley in 1937 in Port Orchard, WA; they later divorced. Helen married Colin A. Stepper in 1962 in Bremerton, WA; they shared 28 beautiful years together. She enjoyed dancing, traveling and Western music.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Agnes Mikelsen, Myrtle Moilanen and Louise Barker; and husband Colin A. Stepper.

Helen is survived by daughter Geraldeane (Rowley) Abraham of Seattle, WA and son Michael (Linda) Rowley of Dayton, WA; brother Arthur M. (Alice) Mikelsen of Port Orchard, WA; grandchildren Gregory Schmeichel, French Walker, Matthew Rowley, Jefferson Rowley and Elizabeth Yeater; great-grandchildren CoCo Angell, Memphis Angell, Megan Rowley, Lauren Rowley, Cole Rowley, Allison Rowley, Marissa Rowley, Emily Fodge, Micah Yeater, Madison Yeater, Gracie Yeater, Caleb Yeater and Abram Yeater; numerous nephews and nieces; and son-in-law Nyal Schmeichel.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Rill Chapel, 1151 Mitchell Ave., Port Orchard, WA on January 18 at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Sedgwick Cemetery, Port Orchard, WA. Memorial donations to Sedgwick Cemetery Fund, C/O Ann Northcutt, 2119 Wyoming St NE, Bremerton WA 98310.