Helen M. Ham, 88

Helen M. Ham, 88, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Friday, March 9, 2007.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. onThursday, March 15, 2007, in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho. Interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Sandpoint, Idaho. Chuck Wigton will be officiating.

Helen was born on July 18, 191,8 in Sandpoint, the daughter of Franklin and Mary (Lyons) Bonner. She attended local schools in Kootenai and Sandpoint. Her family owned a grocery store in Kootenai and the post office was in the west end of the store. Her father was county commissioner and probate judge for Bonner County.

She married Ed Ham on Dec. 27, 1938, in Sandpoint. They had two children and resided in Sandpoint.

Helen worked in several grocery stores in the area, including her father-in-laws, Savon Grocery. She then worked in the clerk's office for Bonner County for 25 years.

She belonged to the Elk's Ladies Golf Association and spent a lot of her free time on the course. She also enjoyed bowling and card games. She loved big band music and dancing. Yellow was her favorite color, reflecting her sunny, upbeat personality.

She had a great love for animals, especially cats and dogs.

Family was very important to her and she really spoiled her grandchildren.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Ed of 68 years; a daughter, Terri (Don) Albertson of Sandpoint; a son, Larry (Donna) Ham of Moscow, Idaho; grandchildren, Nani (Tom) Gray, James Ham, Tracie (Don) Roos, Tom (Cindy) Albertson, Mark (Vicky) Ham and Scott (Teresa) Albertson; 10 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Bottcher and Naomi Hagadone; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, two sisters, two brothers and a great-granddaugther.

Thank you to Dr. Leedy and all the loving care that was given to her by the caregivers at Valley Vista Care Center.

Memorial donations may be made in Helen's honor to the charity of your choice.

Family and friends are invited to sign Helen's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.