Helen Joan Zimmerman

Helen Joan Zimmerman, age 88, of Washougal, Washington passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Helen was born June 7, 1934 in Carson.

A visitation for Helen will be held Friday, September 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR 97030. A funeral service will occur Saturday, September 24, 2022 from 10:00 AM, 520 W. Powell Blvd, Gresham, Oregon. A committal & burial service will occur Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Old Carson Cemetery, 851 Metzger Road, Carson, WA.

On June 7, 1934 Helen became the third of Herbert and Bessie Millers six children. She joined her sisters, Patsy and Mary at their Carson home. As time passed, three brothers, Herbert (Bud), Richard (Dick), and Charles (Chuck) completed the family. Helen grew up on the little farmstead on Smith Beckon Road. She learned early how to work hard and played a major role in household chores and in caring for the younger siblings. She learned to cook and can on the wood burning stove and manage without some of the appliances that are now necessities.

She placed her faith in Christ at an early age and became a devoted disciple throughout her life. Helen attended grade school in Carson and graduated from Stevenson High in 1951. While in High School she was involved with the school newspaper, sang in choir, and in smaller ensembles, and was a cheerleader. She reported the Carson news for the Skamania County Pioneer being paid by the column inch. She became an accomplished pianist and began a long career as a church pianist. As a teenager she taught Sunday school and led vacation Bible school.

It was at High School she met Dave Zimmerman who was one year ahead of her and to make a long story short they recently celebrated their 71st anniversary. Shortly after graduation Dave and Helen were married and moved to Lyons, OR where Dave worked on the construction of Detroit Dam. While they were there he sensed God’s call to the ministry and they moved to Portland, OR where he began his studies at Bible School.

Not long after, their first child, son David was born. Just before Dave’s graduation baby Laura arrived and Helen left the hospital early to attend the graduation ceremony. Within hours, Helen was left alone when Dave departed for Alaska to work in a logging and sawmill operation, in order to pay off some school expenses. After a few weeks, Helen embarked on a harrowing journey to join him in a remote village in SE Alaska (still only a territory of the US) She took toddler Davy and baby Laura and with fear and trembling flew to Ketchikan. From there they boarded a float plane for the trip to Hyder, landing on the water at Stewart B.C. She surprised her husband who was stunned to see his little family walking toward him after work.

Returning to Portland in the fall, Helen and Dave joined the Rural Home Mission Association and moved to the Oregon Coast to assist with planting a church. They began a rewarding life of service for Christ. During their time at Bay City they welcomed Ann and Lynn to complete the family circle. Together they served churches in Oregon, Washington, and Montana. And in each of them Helen had a vital and indispensable impact. In addition to her music she blessed countless lives in Sunday school classes, vacation bible schools, day camps, women’s bible studies, and exercising her gift of hospitality. People were drawn by her genuine love and concern for them and she had an immeasurable impact on many who turned to her for counsel and guidance.

In recent years, Helen endured several serious health challenges. Open heart surgery, and cancer surgery, and chemo therapy, and years of declining strength and stamina related to complicated heart and lung conditions. She faced it all with great courage and patience still caring and concerned for others and strong in her faith.

It is certain that when she stepped into Heaven she was met by a host of people who were there because of her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Zimmerman family.