Helen Lydia Bruntz passed away at the age of 96 on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Keene, Texas.
She was the youngest of nine children born on March 16, 1927, to John F. Winters and Lydia Weibert Winters, at Peckham Colorado. Her parents were farmers and moved to Wheatland, Wyoming shortly after she was born. After her father's death in 1930, her family moved back to Colorado to be near relatives.
Helen attended elementary and high school in Weld County. She married Edward Bruntz in Sidney, Nebraska on June 5, 1943, witnessed by H.C. & Hannah Kauffman. Helen and Edward moved to their farm in La Salle, Colorado shortly thereafter. World War II interrupted their life. Ed was drafted into the army and served his tour of duty in the Pacific front during the Japanese occupation. During that time, Helen moved to Greeley until Ed returned home safely. They then moved back to the farm to operate a small dairy along with growing the related crops. Helen worked alongside her husband and maintained a household, garden, chickens, canning, cooking and baking (pies were her specialty).
Ed and Helen gave birth to five children, (Roland, Sally, Loretta, Edward, and Debra). As the children grew, they were taught to work on the farm along with their parents. They were devoted Christians and sacrificed to see that their children were educated in public and mostly Christian schools. As the family grew up Helen volunteered in different ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist church. This included many years of being director of Community Services (Dorcas) where she used her sewing skills to make blankets and quilts for those in need. She sold religious books door to door and gave bible studies to those interested in learning about Jesus.
God richly blessed Ed and Helen with seven grandsons, seven granddaughters, thirty great grandchildren, and two great, great grandchildren. Ed passed away May 13, 2009, Helen being his caregiver for the last three years prior to his death. Helen sold the farm in 2014 and moved to Texas to be near her daughter Sally, and son Edward. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Roland, January 18, 2020, and her daughter Loretta's husband, Ted Baker, June 19, 2020.
Helen loved Jesus and supported many ministries of her church. Her favorite ministry was to support children. A memorial fund (for Children's Ministry) has been set up in Helen's memory at her son Edward's church, Keller Come & See Adventist Church, 11650 Old Denton Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76244. Online giving:
www.kellercomeandsee.org
(please specify Children's Ministry when donating).
A graveside service to celebrate Helen's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley, Colorado.