Karen Joyce Helmer

Karen Joyce Helmer died in hospice at home in Sierra Vista, Arizona April 7, 2025 at 4:55 AM with her nurse and her husband Eldon at her side. Karen was born December 6, 1942 the fifth child of Clarence and Margarite Root in Midland, South Dakota.  A sister Phyllis Root died tragically in grade school due to a playground accident.
Her older sister Merlene Rank and brother Donald Root preceded her in death.  Her Brother Jim Root resides in the Philip nursing home.
Karen attended school in Midland, graduating in 1961 with a record 12 years perfect attendance.  She then completed studies and graduated from Pierre School of Practical Nursing. She met and married Eldon Helmer the fall of 1967 in Aberdeen and always worked as a nurse but her career was cut short after 18 years when an accidental blow to the back of her head caused legal blindness.  She was taken to the Mayo Clinic in 1980 which determined the blindness was incurable, but also found she tested positive for multiple sclerosis.  However the MS symptoms didn’t become apparent until thirteen years later and gradually worsened until she finally became wheelchair bound, unable to walk. She also couldn’t find the food on her plate due to the blindness so for her last years she became very dependent on her family to even help her eat.
Karen became very ill while traveling in late October 2025, acute stomach infection along with heart and lung problems that ultimately hastened her death at the age of 82.  Karen received much needed assistance and support from family and friends while she was hospitalized over her last five months.
Karen is remembered by everyone who knew her as a caring compassionate friend as a nurse and in her everyday life.  She never voiced negative words about others and always stood ready to help anyone.  She is also remembered for her honesty, telling it like it is!
Karen and Eldon were married 57 years, after promising each other to never argue or go to bed angry.  It worked very well!
Karen loved to travel in our motorhome, and in earlier years on our motorcycle or in our airplane.
Karen and Eldon have one child, Michael who they adopted in 1970 at age two and a half years in Duluth, Minnesota and who with his wife Victoria gifted the family with baby Jasmin who is now 21 years of age and has driven her Grandma and Grandpa’s motorhome on those long trips from Arizona to South Dakota and Minnesota.  Also adding to the family joy are Victoria’s other children Christopher, Priscilla, Raymond and Maya plus their four children who have completed our family and have given us tremendous joy always.