Patsy Ruth (Harpt) Helzer

   Patsy Ruth (Harpt) Helzer passed away on December 29, 2024 in Emmett, Idaho. She was born on September 13, 1931 in a home in Emmett. Her parents were Ruth and Henry (Dick) Harpt. She was the second of three girls, sisters Claire Roper and Kay Dorey. Her father was a surveyor, so her early childhood was spent traveling around Idaho to his job sites, sometimes living in a one room tent. They moved lots, and she was always the new girl at school until her 4th grade. 
  Her family moved back to Emmett where she graduated from EHS in May 1950. Three weeks later she started nursing school at Nampa Mercy Hospital. She graduated from nursing school in 1953 and moved to Weiser for her first RN job at the Weiser hospital.
While living in Weiser she met and married Bud Hurd but tragically Bud was killed in a car accident. She had one child from that marriage, Christina. 
  She met Leon Helzer on a double date. They were married on January 11, 1956 at her grandparents’ home on the South Slope Road in Emmett. Soon after, Leon adopted Chris and they had three more children together, Pam, Tom, and Carla.
  Pat began working as a registered nurse at the Mary Secor Hospital in Emmett in 1954. She worked the evening shift the first night Walter Knox Hospital opened.  In 1966 she accepted the position as Director of Nurses at the Emmett Manor Nursing Home and later Shady Lane Nursing home until she retired after 30 years of nursing. She loved nursing, especially working with the elderly, and she wrote that she always wanted to be a nurse. She kept her registration current up to 2015 and at one time she was the oldest licensed RN in Idaho. 
  They first bought a 20-acre farm on the Bench outside Emmett and later bought a 160-acre farm on Bill Burns Road on the south side.  After many wonderful years later, they bought their retirement home in Middleton.
  She didn’t really retire but studied and received her real estate license. She was very good at helping people buy and sell homes, enjoying the entire process. Later she and Leon enjoyed traveling and spending winters in Yuma with friends and family. 
  She loved golfing and continued to play into her late 80’s. She wrote it was her favorite way to be with her friends while getting good exercise in the most beautiful surroundings. 
  Patsy was met at the gates of Heaven by her husband, Leon; her parents; her many dear friends and lots of relatives who have gone before her. She is missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sisters; Clare and Kay, and all her family and friends who remain behind.
  Thank you to the staff at Meadow View Memory Care, Valor Hospital and Horizon Hospice for taking such kind care of Patsy.
Patsy’s memorial service will be held on January 18th, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Idaho with graveside services following at the Emmett Cemetery.
Love you forever, Momma!

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