Helen Walton

Helen A. Walton (Naslund), 100

Helen was born 100 years ago on Feb. 21, 1917, to Philip and Annie Clack in Wisdom, Mont., and passed away on April 7, 2017. She moved from Wisdom to Coeur d’Alene in 1927 at the age of 10 years young with her parents and brother James.

She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School with the Class of 1934 and continued her education in Nursing School at St. Luke’s Hospital in Spokane, graduating in 1938, being appointed as a Registered Nurse of the American Red Cross. In 1938, Helen met and married Reed James Walton; they had three children together — Marjorie, James and Lujeanne. After her nursing years, Helen was the head cook at Borah Elementary School from 1958 until 1965. Along with her mother, Annie, they organized the Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which she proudly became a State Regent. She was also a member of the Happy Homemakers for 50 years, which was associated with the University of Idaho Club through the Kootenai County Extension Office.

In 1968, Helen and Reed, along with their son, Jim and Alohae, purchased Gardner Auto Supply which became Walton’s Auto Supply at Fifth and Sherman until their retirement in 1977.

Helen began her association with the Museum of North Idaho in 1972 where she was elected to serve on the board of directors until 1979. She continued to volunteer for many more years. She was a member of the White Pine Council, a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls’ leader for 30 years, running the organization’s Camp Neewahlu Day Camp on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

In 1988, Helen married Glen Naslund, and together they traveled to Norway and Sweden. Glen passed away in 1992. She was an avid bowler and was secretary of her bowling league for many years. Helen was a perfectionist as a seamstress and won many ribbons for her handwork at the Kootenai County Fair. She also loved working in her vegetable and flower gardens and especially loved mowing her lawn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Annie and Philip Clack; her brother, James Clack; and her husbands, Reed J. Walton and Glen E. Naslund. She is survived by her children, Marjorie (Darrell) Storkson of Mukilteo, Wash., James (Alohae) Walton of Harrison, Idaho, and Lujeanne (Carmine) Conti of Coeur d’Alene; her grandchildren, Jamie Walton, Philip Walton, Darrcie (Kevin) Inman, Darrek (Natalie) Storkson, Judson (Brandy) Gridley and James Burke; and great-grandchildren Ryan Walton, Karlie Storkson, Jacob Storkson, Emma Storkson, Gracie Storkson, Ashlie Inman, Anna Marie Inman, Teddy Gridley and Tevin Gridley.

The family wishes to thank the Angels at Hospice of North Idaho for their loving care.

At Helen’s request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Museum of North Idaho, P.O. Box 812, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816-0812.