BELLA VISTA — Helen Claudine Eidem

peacefully passed away at Mercy Hospital in Rogers on July 12, 2020, at age 87.

Helen is survived by her husband, Joe Eidem of Bella Vista; children Debra (Richard) Muller of Bella Vista, Brian (Leslie) Eidem of Andover, Kan., Dave (Lorrie) Eidem of Springfield, Va., and Jay (Terri) Eidem of Martindale, Texas; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and brother Gil Lewison of Chaska, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Berline Jacobsen.

She will be missed by her family, in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Helen was born Oct.15, 1932, in Akron, Iowa, to Harley and Bertha Lewison. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1953, with a degree in education. She taught in Sioux City and on Christmas Day 1953, she married her best friend, Joe Eidem.

After living in El Paso and South Dakota, their first “real” home was 13 years in Minnesota when Joe joined 3M and later, they transferred to Oklahoma where they lived 25 years. It was in Oklahoma that Helen and Joe began to welcome grandchildren, the second generation of their love together. Her family was the “Joy of my life.”

She continued her love of teaching and learning and earned three master’s degrees at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She went on to become a special education teacher and school counselor at West Elementary School.

Retirement brought them to Bella Vista, Ark., in October 1998. Helen continued to enjoy lifelong interests such as traveling, boating/skiing, bridge, bowling, golf, many gatherings with family and friends, church activities, Stephen’s ministries, volunteering and PEO. She was also an avid sports fan — “Go Pokes!” (Oklahoma State University).

Helen’s profound kindness, loyalty, love, humility, humor, and joy were contagious. Laughter and generosity were always abundant in Helen’s home. And in her words “God is Good!”

A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date. If you would like to receive information about the service, please send your name and email address to familyeidemcloud@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Augustana University, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D., 57197, to support the Helen Lewison Eidem Endowed Scholarship. Please make checks payable to Augustana University and indicate “memorial for Helen Eidem” on the memo line. Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com.