Helen May Poelstra

Loving wife and mother unexpectedly left us on Sunday June 25, 2017.

Helen was born Feb. 1, 1935, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Edgar and Marion Schmidt.

She graduated from Sandpoint High School and her early love for animals led her to work for Doc Eakin, the local veterinarian. She traveled with Doc Eakin all over North Idaho assisting him inside and outside the clinic and was know by many of the farmers in the area.

Helen spent most of her days riding her horse, Darkie, with her riding buddies. She later became a Bonner County rodeo queen in the mid-1950s, traveling to rodeos around the Pacific Northwest

Her friends were excited to see her with her handsome new boyfriend, Renald Poelstra, at a horse show. Helen and Rennie, witnessed by Ernie and Opal Bartelson, were married June 1, 1962.

The happy couple purchased a farm in Sagle, Idaho. Helen had her horses and huskies and Rennie had his cows and hound dogs. On May 25, 1963 Helen gave birth to her daughter Marian Lynn.

Helen was a stay-at-home mom, taking care of Lynn and the animals while Rennie worked in the woods during the week. Together they had all sorts of farm animals and any dog in need of a good home. Being animal lovers, the Poelstras could be seen at almost any time rehabilitating any animal that was sick and injured. They even had a pet skunk at one time (de-scented, of course).

Helen was a mother not only to Lynn, but was a mother figure to many people throughout her life. She gave more to others than she ever sought for herself.

She will be missed every day by those who knew and loved her.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Marion Schmidt and her brother William Schmidt.

She leaves behind her husband, Renald Poelstra of 55 years; her daughter, Lynn Poelstra; and her son-in-law, Rik Johnson.

Per her wishes, no services will be held.