Helen Flitton

Helen Marjorie Drewes Flitton, 88, of Idaho Falls, died Jan 23, 2011 at Idaho Falls Health and Rehabilitation in Idaho Falls. Helen was born March 28, 1922 to Blanche Charlotte Ekstrom Drewes and Heinrich Wilhelm Friedrich (Fred) Drewes, the first of five children. She grew up and attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1941. She spent the rest of her life in Idaho Falls where she met and married Marvin Flitton on Sept.28, 1941. They had one son, Michael. Helen was working at C C Anderson's, a downtown clothing store which later became ZCMI, when an old friend from school saw her there and in the course of the conversation offered her a job as his dental assistant. Although she knew nothing of the job Dr. Don Peterson offered to train her as she worked. A scary transition at best, she accepted and worked for Don until he retired and the practice was taken over by Dr Van Stosich. She worked for Van until her retirement. For many years, while working for Dr Peterson, she and Marvin also assumed the job of custodial services for the medical complex during the evenings. Helen and Marvin had lived in many rental homes during their marriage but she wanted one to call her own. That opportunity came in the early 1960's when she was offered a house that her son believed would be best served with a dozer and a match. But Helen was determined to turn that mess into a home. And through many years of hard work and long effort, that is just what she did. Her efforts were rewarded with a fine home that anyone would be proud of. Helen and Marvin were outdoor enthusiasts when time and money allowed. First using and old army surplus tent and in later years graduating to a camp trailer. Many good times were had with that trailer including a trip to Canada. She also enjoyed the monthly card club with "the girls", fishing, bowling, family and working on her home. She was a member of the LDS church. Marvin died on March 19, 1997. Helen continued to live in her home until ill health due to Parkinson's disease forced her to move to an assisted living facility. First at Lincoln Court, then Aspen Grove, The Gables and finally Idaho Falls Health and Rehab. Helen is survived by her son Michael (Kay), a sister Jean (Boyd) Christensen, and a brother Norman (Carol) Drewes; three grand children and one great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marvin; a brother, Kenneth (Lois) Drewes, and a sister Alta (Fred) Wright. At the time of death she was under the loving care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho and Idaho Falls Health and Rehabilitation. Funeral services will be on Friday, Jan. 28 at 2:00 PM, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. The family will visit with friends from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Thursday and 1-1:45 p.m. on Friday, both at Wood Funeral Home. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.