Helen Reisdorff

Lifelong Fort Collins resident Helen Michie James Reisdorff passed away Oct. 4, 2007, at a local nursing home. Helen's paternal grandparents immigrated to Fort Collins in 1887. Helen was one of four children of Adam Michie Jr. and Emma Peterson Michie, and was raised on the family farm on Horsetooth Road. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Ralph and Clarence, and sister-in-law, Thora Michie. Helen married Evan Idwal James in 1946, and together they built their home on North Taft Hill Road. Idwal died in 1968. In 1973, Helen married widower Leo Reisdorff and gained three stepdaughters. Leo died in 1985, but his daughters and their families, Carole and Phil Cook, Joni Sheram, and Chris and Craig Sommer, and her three granddaughters, Amy Cook and Jenny and Shelby Sommer, remained an important part of her life. Helen's additional survivors include her brother John and his wife, Jacqueline Michie; her sister-in-law, Ruth Michie; and numerous nieces and nephews, Barbara Coopersmith, Richard and Carol Michie, Carol and Dave Alford, Thaine and Marilyn Michie, Rex and Sally Michie, Keith and Karen Michie, Judy and Bruce Stirling, Peggy and Charles Rogers, and Gary and Donna Michie. In her last few years, she also considered staff and friends at Columbine Care Center West Columbine Health and Rehab Facility as her extended family, and they held a special place in her heart. Helen frequently said that if she couldn't be at home, this was where she wanted to be because everyone there was so kind. Helen attended No. 16 School Pleasant Valley through eighth grade and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1935. She worked many years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service in Fort Collins and retired in 1973. Helen and Leo enjoyed traveling around North America, Hawaii and Scotland, but her greatest passion was spending time in her vegetable and flower gardens and soaking up the Colorado sunshine. She also absolutely loved being a grandmother. Helen loved Fort Collins and was active in the Pioneer Association, in the Mountain View Extension Club and in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She was also a member of the Elks and Moose lodges. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church. Those who knew Helen well were amazed by her consistently positive outlook on life and were entertained by her good humor and mischievousness. In spite of numerous health-related challenges, she was always convincing when she frequently said, "I've never been sick a day in my life." She was blessed to have many lifelong friends and will be missed by many. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Rev. Rich McDermott will officiate at the services. Those who desire may view Mrs. Reisdorff from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Larimer County in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .