Helen Lou Monter, a long-term resident of the San Luis and Greenhorn Valleys, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care in Colorado Springs, Colorado, following a stroke. Helen is preceded in death by daughter Sandra Lynne, husband Merlin Jesse, parents Martin ‘Mig’ and Lucille Klinger, and son-in-law Dick Johnson. 

          Helen is survived by daughter Shirley Johnson (Dick- passed) of Nevada, MO, John Monter (Sandy) of Lakeside, CA, Jack Monter (Jill) of Pueblo West, CO, Susan Wilson (Todd) of Gallup, NM, and Sharon Monter of Nevada, MO. Grandchildren: Sean Johnson, Roy Johnson (Nicole), Courtney Monter, Whitney Monter, Talisha Brownell (James), Shayna Guardian (Raymond), Tiana Heppner (Sam), Sheldon Wilson (Hannah Gibbons), Makayla Raseta (Josh), Lane Fringer, Shaelynne, Fringer, Marshall Fringer. Great grandchildren: Gabe Bailey, Daniel Bailey, Liam Johnson, Brooklynn Brownell, Adeline Wilson, Alila Guardian, Remington Raseta, Kimber Raseta, Oaklynn Fringer. She is also survived by her sister Karolyn Bradshaw and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

          Helen was the epitome of unconditional love and service to everyone who knew her. She loved God, her family, and her friends. She ended every communication with, “God Bless!” Her final words to her children were, “I am so blessed by God!”

          Mom left us this poem, author unknown:

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

When I have come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room!

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long

And not with your head bowed low,

Remember the love that we once shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take,

And each must go alone;

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan, 

A step to the road home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friends we know.

And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.

Miss me, but let me go.

               A memorial service to honor, and celebrate the life of, Helen Lou will be held sometime next summer (Location and Date, TBD). If you would like to share your address with the family, you may do so at: https://www.postable.com/HelenLouMonterMemorial

If you would like to share thoughts or memories of Helen Lou (Mom), you may send those to: helenloumontermemories@gmail.com