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For her birthday, LouAnn Fahlberg (pictured at right), Lifeline program manager, and Stephanie Malingen, marketing director, delivered flowers and a balloon to Helen at her home, and presented her with a certificate for one month of free Lifeline service.
Visiting with Helen was a memorable experience. She has been living on her own since her husband passed away shortly after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They raised 10 children, and today she has 36 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Helen was born in Richmond and moved to North Dakota when she got married. She and her husband eventually moved back to Richmond and in 1961 moved into the house she lives in today. Helen enjoys embroidering, working "seek and find" puzzles, reading, and watching old movies. She says without the help of her daughter and son-in-law who live nearby, she could never have made it this long on her own. They stop by every day to check on her, mow her lawn, buy her groceries, and help with many other chores. She is very thankful for a wonderful family.
Helen's family celebrated her 100th birthday with a special mass in her honor on Oct. 20 at SS Peter and Paul Church in Richmond, followed by an open house reception at Jerry's Supper Club.
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On Oct. 16, 2001, Helen Heying (at left in picture), Richmond resident and Lifeline client, turned 100 years young. Helen has been a Lifeline client since 1990 and continues to live on her own. Lifeline service provides assistance in case of an emergency for the clients who use it. For example, Helen wears a personal call button around her neck (similar to a necklace) that in the event of an emergency, she can push it and a call will be made to the Lifeline staff. Though Helen has never had an emergency, the peace of mind it gives her family is immeasurable. "I wouldn't want to live without it," she told us.