Helen (Householder) Steenis, 100, of Vero Beach passed away at Sterling House on March 16, 2012 of natural causes. She was born February 23, 1912 in Richland Center, WI, the eldest child of Glen and Erma (Dieter) Householder.

She spent her childhood in Madison, WI and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1933 with a BA in Medical Bacteriology followed by a Masters degree in 1934. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Following graduation she was in charge of the clinical lab at Winnebago hospital in Oshkosh, WI until her marriage in 1936 to her college sweetheart, John Steenis, a marine biologist with the Fish & Wildlife Department of the US Interior Department. Her husband's research projects meant they were frequently transferred to remote areas of the US, often living in rustic conditions. They had two sons, John, Jr. born in 1939 and William born in 1943 who died in infancy. When John was transferred to the Patuxent Research Center at Laurel, MD, the family settled in Beltsville, MD and Helen spent 18 years as a dean's assistant at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. In 1972, she and John retired to Warren, Maine where they spent the next 10 years actively involved in the Audubon Society, their local church, gardening, entertaining family and friends, and enjoying drives together along the beautiful coast of Maine.

After her husband died in 1983, Helen moved to Vero Beach. She was a member of Community Church and AAUW. Eventually, she resided at Indian River Estates where she lived independently until August 2011. She then moved to Sterling House, which was her home until her death. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family at the Ocean Grill, her favorite restaurant.

A loyal, thoughtful, giving person, Helen was loved by those who were lucky to know her. Always inquisitive, she had a thirst for knowledge and loved reading, listening to CSPAN and engaging in interesting conversations. As her eyesight began to fail, she continued to devour audiobooks on a wide range of subjects. Her only regret was that her eyesight didn't allow her to fully understand how computers work - nor could she watch movies anymore starring her favorite actor, Richard Gere! Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, flowers, dining out and a good Bourbon and ginger ale. She had a calm, peaceful presence and could be counted on for a rational viewpoint. At a family reunion for her 90th birthday, a six year old grandniece gave a toast "When I get old, I want to be just like Helen!" Cheers to a wonderful woman!

Predeceased by her son, John, Jr. and brothers, Neil, Howard and John, she is survived by her dear sister, Patty Relyea of Vero Beach, nieces Sharon Meier (Harold) of Sun Prairie, WI, Sue Zaleski (Mike) of Middleton, WI, Nancy Householder of Madison, WI and Paige Lehman (Charlie) of Cooper City, FL, nephews Glen Householder (Erika) of Bloomingdale, IL and Steve Householder (Judy) of Waunakee, WI, five grandnieces, three grandnephews and three great-grand nieces.

Her family is grateful for the wonderful care Helen received by the staff of Sterling House and by Hospice VNA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Staff Appreciation Fund, Sterling House, 410 4th Court, Vero Beach, FL 32962.

A private memorial service will be at a later date with committal of ashes in Fairview Cemetery, Warren, Maine next to her husband. Arrangements are by Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory. A guestbook is available at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.