Helen, the daughter of Lewis and Hattie (Randall) Utzinger was born in Lewistown, Illinois. The family, including sisters Anna and Margaret, moved to Puyallup, Washington by train when she was a year old. Helen attended Puyallup schools and Beutel Business College. After graduation she moved to Washington DC to work for the Maritime Commission for five years.

Helen married Wallace R. Smith May 4, 1946 in Puyallup. In addition to Wally's two children Susan Cunningham, Henderson NV and Donald, Brownsville, OR; they had five more children, Jon, Brownsville; Debby Childers, Lebanon, and Betty Bielenberg, Aumsville. Two daughters Sarah Lindoyah and Margaret Barrett; infant great-grandson Remington, and Wally preceded her in death. Helen is also survived by three nephews.

Helen and Wally lived on a small farm near Graham. Helen also worked as a secretary for the Aetna Life Insurance company in Tacoma.

October 1962 they moved to Tangent, Oregon to be closer to their oldest children and find a better farming area. Helen was a 4-H leader for many years, teaching many children besides her own to cook, bake, can fruits and vegetables, sew and show dairy cattle. They eventually settled in Turner where they had a dairy farm for 20 years.

Helen worked as a secretary for Oregon Freeze Dry Foods in Albany for 19 years, retiring in 1984.

Following her retirement from Oregon Freeze Dry, Helen and Wally began entering their produce and fruit at the Oregon State fair where they garnered many blue ribbons and several "Best of Show" awards.

Helen was also an accomplished knitter, an avid reader and thoroughly enjoyed her 20 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was a member of Brownsville Christian Church. Donations may be made to: Brownsville Library or Evergreen Hospice in care of AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home, 805 Ellsworth St. SW, Albany, OR 97321