Helen was born on July 15, 1923 on the upper north fork of McKay Creek, near Pendleton to Oscar and Cora Alice Corwin. She attended Pendleton schools. Helen married Charles (Chuck) Claude Edwards in 1942. They had four children, John, Gary, Verlee, and Viola. They lived in Hermiston where Charles worked on the building of the Umatilla Army Depot. They later divorced.
In June of 1957 Helen married Eugene Edward Housden in College Place, Wash. They lived in Hermiston where Gene worked for the Oregon State Game Farm on Buttercreek Road where he farmed and worked with the birds that were raised there. Helen worked as a housekeeper for several families in the area and was more like a member of the family to them. In 1964 Gene was transferred to Klamath Falls to the Oregon Game Farm. They remained there until Gene’s retirement after 29 years of service. They moved to Midland. There they managed the local Grange Hall and received an Oregon Volunteer of the Year Award for all of their service. Upon Gene’s death in February of 2001 Helen moved to Vancouver, Wash., to live with her daughter, Verlee (Helen). She remained there until moving into hospice care where she passed away. She was loved much and will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her.
She is survived by her sons: John Edwards, Klamath Falls, Gary Edwards (Cindy), Hermiston; daughters: Helen Sagendorf, Vancouver, Wash.,, Viola Christy (Del), Pendleton; stepchildren: Bob Housden, Cheney, Wash.,, Jack Housden, Laguna, Calif.,, Sam Housden, Phoenix, and Alice Cesarona, Phoenix; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Housden; her parents; brothers, Harold, Ray, Lester, Carl, and Walter Corwin; and sister, Naomi Biggerstaff.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
