Helen May Brake

Helen May DeKlotz was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on January 2, 1928 to Gilbert DeKlotz and Agnes Starkey DeKlotz. Helen and her brothers and sisters grew up during the Great Depression working on the family farm west of Filer. She graduated from Filer High School in 1945. She then attended the University of Idaho in Moscow where she met the love of her life, William “Wild Bill” Brake, who she tamed to be “Sweet William”. Bill and Helen were married on October 26, 1947 at her parents’ home in Filer. They lived in the Filer area for the majority of their married lives and settled down at their family farm in December of 1965 where Helen lived until her passing.

While keeping the household running at the farm, Helen started a new career as a rural mail carrier in the Filer post office. She retired at the age of 62 after 27 years of service. Helen had many activities that she enjoyed including golfing, Eastern Star, playing cards with her girlfriends, and travelling around the world with friends and family. One of her favorite pastimes was talking, whether it was while she was golfing and playing cards, on the telephone, or with her extended family at annual family reunions. Helen made friends wherever she went. She loved meeting new people on her travels and maintained contact with old and new friends alike.

One of Helen’s greatest joys was her family. She always enjoyed seeing the successes of her children, Phyllis, Charlotte, and Karl, her granddaughter Allison, and for the last 11 years, her great-grandson, Garrett.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents (Gilbert and Agnes) her stepmother Florence, her husband Bill Brake, her son-in-law, Joe Beard, her siblings John (Johnny) and Gilbert (Gib) DeKlotz, and her longtime companion Clarence Kauffman. She is survived by her children Phyllis Brake Beard, Charlotte (Rachael) Brake (m. Grant Rolette), and Karl Brake (m. Juanita Menchaca) and granddaughter Allison Lindholm Touchstone (m. Justin Touchstone), and great grandson Garrett Touchstone. She is also survived by her siblings Margaret DeKlotz Brown, Mary DeKlotz Campbell, Jessie DeKlotz Olson, Elizabeth (Boo) DeKlotz Brabb, Karen DeKlotz Judd, and Ralph DeKlotz.

A private service for family will be held Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11 am at the Filer Cemetery followed with a Celebration of Life at 12 pm at the Filer Methodist Church followed by a luncheon at the church. Arrangements are being handled through White’s Mortuary in Twin Falls. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Habitat for Humanity, the Twin Falls County Fair foundation or a charity of your choice in memory of Helen.