Helen Underwood passed away October 5, 2020 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. She was born July 13, 1928 in Northwood, Iowa. Her parents, Esther Lenz and Claire Brager lived in Northwood with her brother Don. Helen's father died when Helen was 13 years old. Helen's mother remarried and they moved to Midwest, Wyoming. Helen graduated from Midwest High School. On June 13, 1946 she married Bob Underwood in Billings, Montana (they eloped)
Bob and Helen resided in Luverne, MN where Bob worked as a lineman for Bell Systems Telephone Company. Their son Gray was born. In 1948 they moved to Midwest, WY and Bob worked as a lineman for Stanlind Oil and Gas. Helen was a homemaker and two more sons were born, Michael (Mick) and Vance. While raising their sons they enjoyed the outdoors of Wyoming and camped whenever they could.
In 1968 Helen started working at the Junction Cafe in Midwest starting as a waitress and then became the manager. Bob and Helen bought into a partnership in Elephant Head Lodge outside of Yellowstone National Park. Helen was a working partner until she went to work in customer service at Sears in 1970. She was promoted to Service Center Manager and worked for Sears until her retirement in 1988.
When the boys were grown Bob and Helen became avid snowmobilers. After retirement they traveled much of the United States with their travel trailer. They then spent the winters in Arizona, first in Yuma and later in Casa Grande until 2005. They had been in their home in Casper until Bob became ill in 2015. He passed away in 2016 and Helen resided at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living until her death.
Survivors include: son, Gray (Cookie) of Casper; son, Mick (Linda) of Greeley, CO; son, Vance (Joni) of Yoder; granddaughter, Shelly (Blaine) Hytrek of Casper; granddaughter Amy (Lance) Peterson of Casper; granddaughter, Valorie Szlemko, of Kingwood, TX; granddaughter, Tracia (Jason) Young of Greeley, CO; grandson, Robbie Miller of Colorado Springs, CO; granddaughter, Michele (Brian) Penney of Windsor, CO; Helen is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her husband.
There will be a private family service held for Helen.
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