Malad – Helen C. Reese passed away Sunday, February 27, 2011, at a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. Helen was the fifth born child of Sarah and Hugh Clark. She was born on April 16, 1920, in Malad, Idaho. She was raised on a farm in Woodruff, Idaho, and attended schools in Malad. The love of her life, Dale L. Reese, lived just up the road in Cherry Creek, Idaho. They knew each other as teenagers, and after a couple of years of courting, they tied the knot on January 17, 1938.

After they married, they lived in Malad, Idaho; Las Vegas, Nevada; Vancouver, Washington; and then back to Malad. During her lifetime, Helen worked for many years for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas as a secretary, as well as being a homemaker and raising four children. She was an immaculate housekeeper and a good cook. She enjoyed sewing and making clothes. She enjoyed the outdoors and riding horses. Helen loved animals and was a great advocate, often donating money to many animal organizations. Helen had a green thumb and thoroughly enjoyed gardening as a hobby. She loved to play pinochle with her friends and family and hated to lose. She was teasingly called “Helen Hoyle” by her family during high-spirited pinochle games in honor of her desire to follow the pinochle rules.

Helen and Dale were married for 68 years before Dale passed away on February 16, 2006. Helen is survived by two sons and one daughter, Dale (Fran) Reese of Las Vegas, Nevada; Micheal (Linda) Reese of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kay (Gene) Caldwell of Malad Idaho. Helen has 15 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and a few great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters, Thelma Daniels of Malad, Idaho; Beth Hawks and Larene Vaughn of Ogden, Utah; And Ann Peterson of Santa Maria, California. She also leaves behind her special dog, Budlee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale L. Reese; one son, James Boyd Reese; her parents, Sarah and Hugh Clark; four sisters, Hazel, Alta, June, and Lorraine; and one brother, Woodrow.

Graveside services will be held Friday March 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Malad City Cemetery.