KARLSTROM

On Friday, November 8, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones, Helen Ann Karlstrom (née Simpson) of Bluffton, Alberta left us and became an amazing, loving guardian angel who is watching over us.  Helen passed away at the age of 69 years.

Helen was born on March 21, 1955, in Rimbey, Alberta to Ida and Harvey Simpson.  She grew up on a farm near Rimbey, where she met her neighbour and soul-sister Diana.  Helen completed all of her schooling in Rimbey and finished Grade 12 early, marrying the love of her life and best friend, Larry Karlstrom.  They were married for almost 52 years.  Together, they moved to the farm in the Springdale area and had four daughters – Helen’s pride and joy.  Family was very important to Helen.  She never missed anything that her daughters were involved in.  Helen was at every sporting event and concert, coached ball teams, was a 4-H leader, and organized slo-pitch teams.  When her girls were growing up, she was called “Mom” by many of the kids.

Helen loved listening to music; whether it was while driving, singing along to the radio, or dancing at home.  She also appreciated any time spent in her gardens, both vegetable and flower, and basked in feeling the sun shining upon her face.  Helen was extremely  crafty  and  took  great  pleasure  in knitting, sewing, quilting, and cross-stitching.  Her family has many creations that she made that will be treasured forever.  Helen enjoyed cooking and baking as well, and she made the best cookies, which she loved sharing with family and friends at Christmas.  She was also always willing to volunteer and help out in any way that she could.  She was a member of the Springdale Ladies Club, served on the Liberty Hall board, and helped organize her 50-year school reunion. Helen was a very social person who enjoyed any opportunity to visit with others, check-in on friends and family, and meet new people. 

Helen’s light and greatest loves of her life were her husband, daughters, son-in-law, and her very special granddaughters… who will all miss her deeply.  She believed in making life as good as possible and doing things together as a family – which are things that she definitely achieved.  Helen had a heart of gold that was abundantly full of love.  She was always giving to others, touching and blessing many people in her life.  Helen will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by those whose paths she crossed.

With respect for Helen’s wishes, there will be no service at this time.  If desired, memorial donations in her memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Food Bank, c/o Rimbey Community Home Help Services, Box 404, Rimbey, Alberta  T0C 2J0 (https://myhomehelpservices.ca).  Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.

Arrangements for the Late Helen Ann Karlstrom (née Simpson) entrusted to the care of