Helen Louise Van Veckhoven

June 12, 1935 - September 16, 2020

Helen, 85, of Porterville, California, passed away on September 16, 2020. She was born to parents, Roy and Lessie Hill, on June 12, 1935 In Hammond, Louisiana. She graduated from Ponchatoula High School in 1953. Helen went on to study Education at Louisiana College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She attended graduate classes at Fresno Pacific University to receive her special education credentials. Helen worked as a teacher for 30 years. She loved teaching her students not only the basic reading, writing and math, but also practical living skills including; cooking, laundry and balancing a checkbook. Every November her students cooked a Thanksgiving Feast for the school and district staff. After 30 years of service, she retired from Terra Bella Elementary School District in 2004. Helen enjoyed her rose gardens, teaching, crafts, cooking, and baking. Helen and Don loved to travel in their RV, visiting the many wonders across the United States. She met Donald Van Veckhoven in 1956. They were married on August 24,1957 in Hammond, Louisiana. Together they raised two sons and two daughters. Helen is survived by four children, Aaron, Sharon (Doug), Keith, and Anita; four grandchildren, Amber (Aaron), Jacquelynn (Larry), Jonathan (Alyssa) and Casey (Emma); six great grandchildren, Ashton, Caleb, Evelyn, Sophia, Calvary, and McKenzie; and her brother, Larry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her mother, Lessie; her father, Roy; and her brother Paul. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral service at Jerusalem Baptist Church on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.