Helen Sanger

Helen C. Sanger, 81, passed after a long battle with non-COVID-related pneumonia at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colorado on January 8, 2021.

Helen was born November 25, 1939 in Denver, Colorado. She grew up on a farm in Ovid, Colorado, and spent years working with her parents, Joe and Magdalena Urban, and her 15 siblings.

Helen and Francis (Frank) Sanger were high school sweethearts who knew each other from early childhood. They married at St. Joseph Polish Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado on January 18, 1958.  After residing in a few different homes in Denver, in northeastern Colorado and in Florissant, Missouri, they made a permanent move to Lakewood, Colorado, where they raised their six children.

During the early years, Helen was a stay-at-home mom, taking care of the kids and the household. She was a pro!  Helen took pride in her home. The house was clean, laundry done, school lunches made and home-cooked meals, complete with baked desserts, always on the table.

When the youngest children were of elementary-school age, Helen returned to the workforce, working part-time. As the kids aged, Helen worked full-time in State Farm Insurance agencies until she officially retired in 1998.

Helen and Frank were supportive of their children’s academic and sporting achievements. They attended gymnastics meets, softball, baseball, volleyball, basketball and football games. After Helen and Frank retired, they supported their grandchildren’s activities. They loved to watch granddaughters, Maggi, Manda and Lauren, cheerleading for different sports; granddaughters, Maggi, Amy and Kristin, doing Color Guard and Winter Guard; grandson, Nick, playing little league baseball and granddaughter, Kaitlin, managing her high school hockey team.

The Roman Catholic faith is and has been an integral part of Helen and Frank’s lives. Helen and Frank joined Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church at its inception.

Helen loved to Polka dance with Frank, travel, play card games with friends and family and play video poker. Texas, Hawaii and Las Vegas were some of Helen’s favorite destinations. She just loved to have fun! Helen had a very contagious laugh and she lit up the room with her smile and her giggle. She especially enjoyed time spent with lifelong friends and at family get-togethers. Helen was a beautiful lady, both inside and out. In her last years, with a head full of gray hair, she still looked beautiful! Helen was a wonderful, classy lady with a big smile, a big personality and a heart bursting with love. She will be missed.

Helen is survived by her loving husband Frank, just days short of 63 wedded years, and their six children: Michelle Dreiling (David), Patricia Thill (Richard), Ronald Sanger (Elizabeth), Lori Sanger (Mark), Lisa LaLonde (Kyle) and Melani Schott (Jon). She is preceded in death by grandson Tyler Himes, and is survived by grandchildren: Magdalena Evans (Curtis), Amy Mooney (Jason), Amanda Jenssen (Lucas), Kristin Dreiling, Lauren Furrer (Trenton), Nicholas Himes (Lynn), Kaitlin LaLonde and Jack Schott. She also will be missed by her great grandchildren: Evelynn Furrer, Gunner Evans, Skyler Mooney, Easton Furrer, Madelyn Himes and Luca Jenssen.

Helen is survived by siblings and Urban in-laws: Irene Hirschfeld, Dorothy Urban (SIL), John Urban, Harold Scheck (BIL), Betty Mika, and Fran Kaveny (Gerry). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, all of whom Helen enjoyed.

Helen’s Funeral Mass will be streamed live on YouTube for those who are unable to attend.

Please click on the link below for the live streaming.

christonthemountain.net

Friday, January 22, 2021, Rosary at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m.

Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church 13922 W. Utah Avenue, Lakewood, CO  80228.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to Catholic Charities.

Please share memories and condolences for Helen by signing the tribute wall.