Helen Jane Strombeck

September 5th, 1953 – June 30th, 2026

Helen Jane Strombeck was born on September 5, 1953, in Lewiston, Idaho to Edith Looking Glass-Strombeck and Bill Strombeck.

As a young child, Helen traveled with her parents to Arizona while they served on a mission. When the family settled in Kamiah, she attended schools within the Kamiah School District. As the eldest of six siblings, she became the first in her family to graduate from Kamiah High School in 1972.

After high school, Helen briefly attended University of Idaho before returning home. On March 8, 1975, she welcomed her beloved son, Christopher Strombeck, into the world. She was a very loving and devoted mother who cherished every moment with him.

Following Christopher’s birth, they moved back to Lewiston, Idaho. Helen worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at several nursing homes, dedicating herself to caring for others.

After the heartbreaking loss of her son, Christopher, Helen moved back to Kamiah in 1994 to help take care of her parents as their health declined. She worked with Kamiah Head Start before accepting a position as the Wa-A’Yas janitor. She faithfully served the Wa-A’Yas Community until her retirement.

Never one to stop learning, Helen attended Northwest Indian College through one of its early Distance Learning Centers and earned her Associate’s Degree, becoming one of the first graduates of the program.

In her later years, Helen resided at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation before relocating to Lewiston Transitional Care of Cascadia to receive dialysis treatments.

Helen was an avid reader who especially enjoyed thrillers, murder mysteries, true crime novels and the paranormal. One of her favorite authors was Stephen King. She loved crafting which included beading, sewing, coloring, and making yarn bags. She loved the holiday season. She enjoyed participating in elder activities, community trips to other reservations and spending time with friends and family whenever possible. She will be remembered for her generous heart, her loving and understanding spirit, and her willingness to listen with compassion.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Bill Strombeck; her siblings David, Alice, and Leonard; and her beloved son, Christopher Strombeck.

She is survived by her siblings John and Kami; her niece Victoria; her nephew Cody; her birthday twin, Donna Heiren; and many more extended family members, friends, and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory.
A graveside service will be announced at a later date. Helen was cremated according to her wishes.