Helen Waag

Helen Knaus Schneider Waag, 98, moved into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 11, 2017 surrounded by loved ones. Helen was born in Windsor on August 5, 1919 to David and Eva (Rutz) Knaus. She attended school until tenth grade when she left to help work in the fields with her parents and siblings. She married Raymond Schneider on April 4, 1937. They farmed in Larimer County moving to their own farm in 1939. They had three children: JoAnn, Kenneth and Richard. Helen and Ray worked their farm in a day when they used horses to bring in the crops. The age of tractors helped with the workload. Farming was a special part of life. Ray passed away in May of 1971. Helen remained in her home the duration of 79 years.

Helen began working outside the home where she potted trees at the CSU horticulture farm. She worked at Kruse Publications and then began full time at the CSU Library where she worked for five years. She worked for 12 and one-half years at Rocky Mountain Forest and Range in the mail and publications department retiring in 1978. While she was at RMFR she met and later married Alexander(Jim) Waag. Upon retirement, Helen volunteered at Poudre Valle Hospital where she faithfully served for 30 years. Jim joined her as a volunteer upon his retirement working for many years. Together Helen and Jim took on the challenge of technical race walking including competing in the Senor Olympics on the State and National level. Helen and Jim loved to garden and grow flowers. Helen was a charter member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She and Jim were faithful members throughout their marriage.

Helen had a wonderful gift of hospitality and of giving of herself. She was an excellent cook. Many family (and friendship) dinners graced her table. Most everyone left her house with home baked delicacies and delectable home cooking. She was always figuring out ways to give to people. Perhaps more than anything, Helen will be remembered for being a faithful prayer warrior. She was surrounded by many because of her ready embrace. Her love of the Lord anchored her during the difficulties and adventures of life. Her sense of humor was always present to lighten adversity. Her 97 years were filled with love for her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Jim, her loving husband of 44 years, passed away on January 15, 2017. Those surviving include, JoAnn (Heinz) Christmann, Joy Schneider, Harley Bailey; Jim's children, Cynthia (Bill) Roush, Stephanie (Michael) Blackmon and Tony Waag. Also, grandchildren: Debbie (Jim) Hunter, Shelley (Paul Stillwell) Sloan, Lori (Paul Specht) Schneider, Rich Schneider, Kristie (Kyle) Alons, Angie (Blair) Greimann, Tori (Marc) Foley, Josh Roush, Ceterra (Farale) Miles, and Chris Bailey.

Great-grandchildren include: Taylor (Karen) Ehrlich, Tanner Ehrlich, Mitchell (Nicki) Gonder, Kylee, Mckenzie, Caleb, Josiah, and Grace Alo ns, Eve, Diego, and Mac Greimann, Brandon and Carter Foley. Great- great-granddaughters are Sloan and Charlie Ehrlich.

Predeceased sons: Kenneth Schneider and Richard Schneider. Predeceased son-in-law: George Sloan. Also predeceased are Helen's brothers and sister: Mollie (and Phil) Jaco by; Walter (and Alice) Knaus, Dave (and Katie) Knaus, Reuben Knaus. One sister-in-law survives, Shirley Knaus. There are many nephews and nieces, together with many friends, who will miss the kindness and love of Helen.

Donations in Helen's memory can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, to Samaritan's Purse or to a ministry of your choice that feeds children in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Stuart Street. Those who wish may view Mrs. Waag at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.