Donna L. Helzer

Donna was born on January 18, 1940 in Fort Lupton, Colorado at the home of the nurse of the local doctor. She was the second of two children born to parents Henry Alva Anderson and Bertha Schneider Anderson (Jacoby). Donna’s early years were spent on dairy farms near Fort Lupton, Platteville and La Salle where she experienced many adventures following the lead of her older (and more mischievous) brother, Myron. She attended first through fifth grades at Lone School, a two-room country school located between Fort Lupton and Platteville, and attended Beebe Draw School in La Salle for one year. Afterward, the family moved to Evans where Donna attended Evans School for her junior high years. She then attended College High School (now University High) in Greeley, graduating in 1957.

Shortly before her high school graduation, Donna started corresponding via mail with her future husband, Delbert Carl Helzer of Timnath, while he was away serving as an electrician’s mate aboard a US Naval ship. (If you don’t know the story of how Del and Donna “met”, you might want to ask, because it’s a really good one). Del and Donna were married in Greeley on December 14, 1958. One year later their son Dean was born in Colorado Springs, and their daughter, Della, was born in Greeley, five years after that.

After high school, Donna worked at the Greeley Clinic as a switchboard operator, a receptionist, and in medical records until she married. Del and Donna spent a year in Boise, Idaho managing a dry-cleaning store and laundromat when Dean was three. After Della was born, Donna became a stay-at-home mom. In 1976, she returned to the workforce, working for the Larimer County Assessor’s Office, briefly at Colorado State University, and finishing out her career at Hewlett Packard and Celestica. Donna happily retired in 2001.

In retirement, Donna enjoyed reading and scrapbooking. Donna and Del both enjoyed road trips and cruises together, with the highlight being an Alaskan cruise shared with their children and grandchildren in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. But the highlight for Donna was spending time with her family. She was always a giver, providing and taking care of her family in every way possible. Donna was blessed with many good years with her mother, who lived to be 100, and was very close with her three grandsons, Brent, Aiden Grant, and Miguel.

Donna also enjoyed the closeness of her church fellowship. She and Del were devoted members of Harmony Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins since the early 2000’s. They both served multiple terms as deacons and Donna enjoyed helping out with fundraisers, especially the yearly book sales. They were grateful for the friendships and support they experienced as part of the Harmony community.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Del, parents Henry and Bertha, and daughter-in-law Megan. She is survived by her brother Myron Anderson of Windsor, son Dean Helzer of Fort Collins, daughter and son-in-law Della and Hector Acevedo of Aurora, grandsons Brent Helzer and Aiden Grant Helzer both of Fort Collins, and grandson Miguel Acevedo of Aurora.

Donna will be dearly missed by her immediate and extended family members, close friends, neighbors and church family. Her family expresses their deepest gratitude to Pathways of Northern Colorado and Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Facility for the incredible care they provided Donna during her time under hospice care. Donations in memory of Donna can be made to Pathways of Northern Colorado and to Harmony Presbyterian Church.

Services will be held on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at Resthaven Funeral Home & Memory Gardens in Fort Collins beginning with her Funeral Service at 2pm and her Graveside Service at 3pm. A Cookie Reception will follow.

Memories of Donna and words of sympathy for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.