Dolores Alice "Swede" (Johnson) Helstrom Obituary (1934

Dolores Alice ''Swede'' (Johnson) Helstrom, 86, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2021, at her home in Silverdale, Washington. Born August 5, 1934, in Bremerton, Washington to Alice Cora Ringness and Reuben Johnson, she graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1952, and later worked in Keyport at the Torpedo Station as an Engineer Aide. Dolores married the love of her life Donald Robert Helstrom, on June 4, 1955. Married for over 65 years they raised their two daughters Debbie and Tina, enjoyed all their grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. They were inseparable spending time hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and loved to be surrounded by family and friends. Swede loved all sports and was an outstanding fast pitch softball player. At the age of 15 she started playing for the Bremerton Green Jackets traveling team, and later was inducted in the Kitsap Old Timer's Hall of Fame in 1990. Dolores also enjoyed coaching youth and coached boy's peewee baseball, both her daughter's fast pitch and slow pitch softball, basketball and soccer teams. She was Debbie and Tina's biggest fan in everything they did never missing a rodeo, game show, 4-H event or ball game. If she wasn't coaching or assisting she was always there, pencil in hand, keeping the scorebook, recording times, or calculating points. Dolores loved to volunteer and held the Northwest Junior Rodeo Association's point secretary title for many years, she was also an active member of Silver Spur Club, Kitsap Little Britches Rodeo Association, and Kitsap County Sheriff's Posse Trailerettes, leader of the Saddlites horse 4-H group, involved with dog 4-H and economics. She cut many a photo to frame for the kids at the annual Corey's Day on the Farm or she walked and led horses for the kids to ride. She provided many recyclable material donations to the Kitsap Food Bank and was definitely a top number on speed dial to lend a helping hand anywhere she was needed. Swede made friends everywhere she went, was a tough competitor (a card shark to boot), and loved the game of baseball! Seattle Mariners was her favorite to watch spending time traveling to see them at training camps every spring always by way of Reno in the motorhome. Dolores is survived by her husband Donald, two daughters, Debbie (Joel) Gibson, and Tina Helstrom-(Jeff) Wilson, four grandchildren James Harp III (Felicia), Leanne (Cody) Barker, Jessie Ferrington, Ryder Helstrom-Wilson, five great-grandchildren Madeline, Lillian, James, Jace, and Ivy, and two beloved nieces Cindy Johnson Vaughn and Terri Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents Alice (Ringness) Stevens, Reuben Johnson, and her brother Donald Johnson. On May 26th a private family viewing will be held at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Bremerton from 11:00 to 12:00 pm. A public memorial will begin at 1:00 pm. The family will host a Celebration of Life for family and friends at Silver Spur Club beginning at 3:30 pm located at 8000 Nels Nelson Road Bremerton, WA. In lieu of, flowers, please consider a donation in Dolores' name to the American Cancer Society.