Helen Louise Wexelberg's Obituary
Helen Louise Wexelberg, age 84, passed away on April 5, 2022, at her home in San Diego, CA. She was born on July 7th, 1937, the daughter of Carl and Dorothy (Ehrlich) Faulkner. Helen was raised in Yuma, Arizona, graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1955. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from (Arizona State Teacher’s College) Northern Arizona University. She loved playing flute in the marching band during her high school years and continued through college. She enjoyed trout fishing, and hiking while in Flagstaff. Helen relocated to Barstow where she began a career teaching elementary school. She met Richard Wexelberg who was enlisted in the USMC. In 1960, Richard and Helen were married and moved to San Diego. They had two sons, Ronald and Douglas, and in 1965 purchased the home she loved so much. Much of her working career was as the school librarian at La Jolla Elementary. Helen also spent many years as a special education teacher, teaching children with learning disabilities to read. Helen loved the Lord. As an active member of Reformation Lutheran Church, she used her talents to serve in the kitchen for special events as well as becoming a constant in the role of “Coffee Lady”. She also applied her gift of gardening to step into the role of “Flower Lady”,after Miss Bronson passed. Helen was charitable, and always took advantage of AAL/Thrivent matching fundraisers. Her sons went to Reformation Lutheran School, and her youngest was in the first graduating class to complete first through ninth grade. Her devotion to Family, church, and friends were in the aromas of homecooked meals and deserts made from scratch. Her waffles on Christmas morning rivaled even the best of Santa’s gifts left under the tree. She loved gardening, and her beautiful yard shows it. Trees, plants, fruits, vegetables - you name it, she probably grew it at some point. She was focused and efficient but more important she was a mother and a grandma who enjoyed time spent with family who habitually dropped by to make use of her many resources. If you needed it, she had it! She enjoyed her time with Sam when he came over to work on his truck and many other projects. She was solid and was always there for her family and loved ones. Helen took in many exchange students, a few college students, and friends in need. Helen loved animals. She had five dogs, several cats, chickens and rabbits, throughout the years. Her two desert tortoises that she had for almost 50 years were adopted by the Tortoise Society in 2019. Helen did not like the hospital and survived quite a few visits to the ER during the pandemic. She was adamant that she would stay home and live out her last days in her own house. Her daughter in law made that possible with just a bit of relief from her two sons. Helen is survived by her sons: Ron Wexelberg, San Diego, CA; Douglas Wexelberg (Doreen), San Diego, CA; and unofficially adopted daughter, Michelle _________, San Diego, CA. Siblings: Margaret Thompson, George Faulkner, David Faulkner (Patricia) and Roseann Faulkner (Stan), all of Yuma, AZ and Catherine Jones (Paul), Strong City, KS. Cousins: Ernest Mora, Mary Atchley, Mike Ehrlich (Janet) Donna Fairchild (Mike), Randy Ehrlich (Becky), all of Yuma, AZ; Richard Binder, of Yuma, AZ; Patti Dooley.
Nieces & Nephews: Thanh Diec, Georgia Billingsley, Christina Archuleta (Orlando), Cheryl Sawyer (Eric), Marshall Martin, David Faulkner Jr. (Keri), Elizabeth Dexter (Brandon), Rebecca Ludders (Jared), Sarah Persson (Sam), Andrew Smith (Catherine), David Jones (Lauren) Grandchildren: Maggie Shaw/Batteau? (Keith), Samuel Wexelberg, Abigail Wexelberg, Great Grandchildren: Sarah Perales(Giovani); Clifford “CJ , Hailey ,and Jackie Batteau. Three great, great grandchildren; Noah, Emiliano and Marielle. So many little cousins, baby cousins, great nieces and nephews. She loved them all and she surrounded herself with the photos they sent - on and over the piano, end tables, walls and refrigerator. Helen will be greatly missed.
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