Helen Sauber

Helen Sauber was born Aug. 26, 1922 in Wetumka, Okla. She graduated from Wetumka High School in 1940. She graduated from Hermann Hospital School of Nursing in Houston, Texas that was affiliated with the University of Houston.

She was a female officer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was promoted to Lieutenant JG “Junior Grade” She sailed on numerous government Owned Ships caring mainly Displaced Persons or “DP'S” as they were referred to during the War. It was on the U.S. McCray Ship where she met her husband Gregory Sauber who was a Chief Engineer for the U.S. Merchant Marines. She married Gregory in New York City on Dec. 15, 1950. They moved to Seattle for Gregory to attend Seattle University where he graduated in Mechanical Engineering.

Helen worked at Swedish Hospital in Seattle as a Registered Nurse. Mary Jo and Patty were born in Seattle. Gregory worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

She moved to Spokane, Wash. so Gregory could work at Fairchild Air Force Base and she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital. Greg was born in Spokane.

She moved to Minot, N.D. where Gregory worked on the Minute Man Missile Program. She worked at the local hospital while they were there.

Helen moved to Bellevue, Neb. where Gregory worked at the Strategic Air Force Command Center. Helen worked at the local hospital.

Helen then moved to Great Falls where Gregory worked for Malstrom Air Force Base. Helen worked at the Deaconess Hospital while in Great Falls.

Helen moved to Libby in 1967 with her husband who was a Mechanical Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Libby Dam Project. The couple retired in Libby in the mid-1980s.

Helen was not only a registered nurse she was also very involved in her community. She served as President of the Plummer School PTA in the early 1970s, was a Girl Scout Leader and was involved in bringing the “Community Concerts Programs” to Libby in the early 1970s. She loved music and enjoyed playing the piano and singing, she was an active member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church and choir for over 30 years. She also was a Catechism “religious school” teacher as well.

Her beloved husband Gregory passed away Jan. 29, 1998. Helen was able to continue living in Libby until the end of July 1999. She was diagnosed with Dementia at the Spokane Veterans Hospital. She was a brave soldier trying to maintain her dignity as the disease progressed.

She lived at Elite Care Assisted Living for 2 1/2 years and then at Autumn Haven for 6 years. She continued to enjoy music. She was able to attend musicals at North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and the Spokane Opera House.

The family is most appreciative to the Spokane Veterans Hospital for all the great care they gave her. Mrs. Reynolds, who was the owner of Autumn Haven, gave her excellent care.

Helen is also preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth, and brothers Thomas and Homer.

Survivors include her sister Bobbie Crumley of San Diego, Calif.; daughters: Mary Jo Sauber of Coeur d'Alene, Patty Tracy of Torrance, Calif., and son Greg of Denver, Colo.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Helen Sauber Memorial Piano fund c/o the St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 719 Utah Ave. P.O. Box 1467, Libby, MT 59923.