Jean passed on the evening of Jan. 6, 2012 at home in Chehalis. She was born on April 27, 1942, in Polson, Mont., to Harold and Sevina (Hulett) Graham. She was married to John on June 23, 1967.
Jean worked as a Chehalis school bus driver for 20 years and after her retirement drove for PCLI patient transportation. It seemed that no matter where we traveled someone turned up who had ridden her bus.
Jean enjoyed traveling and especially the trips to Alaska, Costa Rica and the Carribean. She loved clam digging, camping, and when we were younger, backpacking in the mountains and the Olympic Beaches. She also enjoyed skiing and bowling. She served as a volunteer with Lewis County Fire District Six, and as a custodian for the historic Claquato Church.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and son Michael.
She is survived by her husband John, daughter Carol Nakano (Marty), five grandchildren, Dawn Reeves, Crystal Nakano, Jamie Turner (Blake), David Nakano (Alicia) and Cody Nakano (Maddie) and five great- grandchildren. Jean is also survived by nine siblings, Rose Christen, Pat Snyder, Nancy Rasmussen, Wanda Zamito, Harold ”Buzz” Graham, Tom Graham, Ray Graham, Doug Graham, and John Graham.
A funeral for Jean Helm is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 at Sticklin Funeral Chapel in Centralia with Chaplain Kevin Curfman officiating. Interment will follow at Claquato Cemetery, followed by a Luncheon at the Newaukum Grange.
