Helen A. (Tholen) MacDonald passed away peacefully January 30, 2015. Helen was born May 20, 1927 at Paradise Hill, Nevada. Her family later moved to Unionville, Nevada where her father had a ranch. A bout with childhood polio never slowed her down. Helen's first years of school were at the one room school house in Unionville. Travelling to school by horse and buggy was often an adventure when driven by her older brother Hugo. The family later moved to Winnemucca, where Helen helped her father at his business, the Humboldt Soda Works.
Moving to Reno to attend business college, Helen met and married George MacDonald. Their marriage lasted 58 wonderful years, and only ended with the death of George in 2009. Helen was a proud Nevada native and often shared stories of growing up on the ranch and in Winnemucca. She was also a 2nd mom to many, and never turned away anyone who needed help. Her Catholic faith provided her strength and comfort when needed. She also loved to watch golf, from the days of Arnold Palmer to those of Tiger Woods. However, special prayers were offered whenever Jack Nicholas was on the course.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and twin infant boys (Peter and Paul). She is survived by her brother, Hugo Tholen of Virginia; her three children, daughters, Kathryn Sewell and Karen Johnson, and son, Kevin MacDonald (Beverly); granddaughter, Elizabeth Sewell; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the administrators and staff at Golden Years Castle, where Helen lived for the last 4 years, for the devoted care and kindness given to her. We would also like to thank Summit View Hospice for their care and support during the last few days of Helen's life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. Interment will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Walton Funeral Home, Reno.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Feb. 4, 2015
Parents:
Gerhard Tholen
03 Jul 1884 Germany
Sep 1966 Washoe, Nevada
Elizabeth Tholen
21 Oct 1901 Germany
30 Jun 1993 Washoe, Nevada
Moving to Reno to attend business college, Helen met and married George MacDonald. Their marriage lasted 58 wonderful years, and only ended with the death of George in 2009. Helen was a proud Nevada native and often shared stories of growing up on the ranch and in Winnemucca. She was also a 2nd mom to many, and never turned away anyone who needed help. Her Catholic faith provided her strength and comfort when needed. She also loved to watch golf, from the days of Arnold Palmer to those of Tiger Woods. However, special prayers were offered whenever Jack Nicholas was on the course.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and twin infant boys (Peter and Paul). She is survived by her brother, Hugo Tholen of Virginia; her three children, daughters, Kathryn Sewell and Karen Johnson, and son, Kevin MacDonald (Beverly); granddaughter, Elizabeth Sewell; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the administrators and staff at Golden Years Castle, where Helen lived for the last 4 years, for the devoted care and kindness given to her. We would also like to thank Summit View Hospice for their care and support during the last few days of Helen's life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. Interment will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Walton Funeral Home, Reno.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Feb. 4, 2015
Parents:
Gerhard Tholen
03 Jul 1884 Germany
Sep 1966 Washoe, Nevada
Elizabeth Tholen
21 Oct 1901 Germany
30 Jun 1993 Washoe, Nevada
Helen A. (Tholen) MacDonald passed away peacefully January 30, 2015. Helen was born May 20, 1927 at Paradise Hill, Nevada. Her family later moved to Unionville, Nevada where her father had a ranch. A bout with childhood polio never slowed her down. Helen's first years of school were at the one room school house in Unionville. Travelling to school by horse and buggy was often an adventure when driven by her older brother Hugo. The family later moved to Winnemucca, where Helen helped her father at his business, the Humboldt Soda Works.
Moving to Reno to attend business college, Helen met and married George MacDonald. Their marriage lasted 58 wonderful years, and only ended with the death of George in 2009. Helen was a proud Nevada native and often shared stories of growing up on the ranch and in Winnemucca. She was also a 2nd mom to many, and never turned away anyone who needed help. Her Catholic faith provided her strength and comfort when needed. She also loved to watch golf, from the days of Arnold Palmer to those of Tiger Woods. However, special prayers were offered whenever Jack Nicholas was on the course.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and twin infant boys (Peter and Paul). She is survived by her brother, Hugo Tholen of Virginia; her three children, daughters, Kathryn Sewell and Karen Johnson, and son, Kevin MacDonald (Beverly); granddaughter, Elizabeth Sewell; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the administrators and staff at Golden Years Castle, where Helen lived for the last 4 years, for the devoted care and kindness given to her. We would also like to thank Summit View Hospice for their care and support during the last few days of Helen's life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. Interment will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Walton Funeral Home, Reno.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Feb. 4, 2015
Parents:
Gerhard Tholen
03 Jul 1884 Germany
Sep 1966 Washoe, Nevada
Elizabeth Tholen
21 Oct 1901 Germany
30 Jun 1993 Washoe, Nevada
Moving to Reno to attend business college, Helen met and married George MacDonald. Their marriage lasted 58 wonderful years, and only ended with the death of George in 2009. Helen was a proud Nevada native and often shared stories of growing up on the ranch and in Winnemucca. She was also a 2nd mom to many, and never turned away anyone who needed help. Her Catholic faith provided her strength and comfort when needed. She also loved to watch golf, from the days of Arnold Palmer to those of Tiger Woods. However, special prayers were offered whenever Jack Nicholas was on the course.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and twin infant boys (Peter and Paul). She is survived by her brother, Hugo Tholen of Virginia; her three children, daughters, Kathryn Sewell and Karen Johnson, and son, Kevin MacDonald (Beverly); granddaughter, Elizabeth Sewell; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the administrators and staff at Golden Years Castle, where Helen lived for the last 4 years, for the devoted care and kindness given to her. We would also like to thank Summit View Hospice for their care and support during the last few days of Helen's life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. Interment will follow at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the Walton Funeral Home, Reno.
Published in Reno Gazette-Journal on Feb. 4, 2015
Parents:
Gerhard Tholen
03 Jul 1884 Germany
Sep 1966 Washoe, Nevada
Elizabeth Tholen
21 Oct 1901 Germany
30 Jun 1993 Washoe, Nevada
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