Zelda Sue Helfrich (Warner)

Zelda was born August 13, 1959, in Piedmont, Missouri, to Zane and Eunice Warner. She was the oldest of five children: Twila, Terry, Kevin, and Tim. In her early years, her family moved to Notus, Idaho. Zelda went to school and lived in Notus until she was 16 years old. She married Doug Sweaney and moved to Caldwell, Idaho. She and Doug had two girls, Penny and Janelle. They later divorced and Zelda married Charles Helfrich. Charlie had three boys that Zelda raised as her own: Charlie, Rick, and Chris. They lived in Middleton, then Nampa until 2000, when they moved to the New Plymouth/Fruitland, Idaho area.

Zelda worked at several different places such as Garrison Produce, Downtown Printing, the Canyon County Clerk’s Office, then at the Canyon County Juvenile Detention Center. Zelda was at home at the Juvenile Detention Center. Zelda was a mom through and through. She took her job there very seriously and excelled at it. She loved not only her coworkers, but the kids that came through there were treated as her own. This is where she met her longtime friend and "sister”, Marilee. Zelda loved children and loved to help others at all times. In 2001, she completed her GED, which speaks of her determination and drive. Zelda retired around 2011.

Charlie and Zelda had a great life in their country home where they hosted family gatherings and cared for their garden and Zelda's plethora of beautiful flowers. Zelda loved flowers and butterflies. She was a collector of antiques - she and Charlie went to auctions and bought antiques.  She also loved to take little trips to Jackpot and the Oregon Coast. She was able to visit the coast for the very last time just a few weeks ago with her daughters.

Nothing got her down. She could do anything. She was known to everyone as the strongest woman they knew. She was always willing and able to do whatever her family or friends needed. She went above and beyond for everyone. She always had some kind of side hobby she was pursuing, and you could always count on her. She often had someone she had taken under her wing to help. She also had a contagious laugh. Her friends always remember her full-of-life laugh. She was not afraid of anything, not even death. She faced it like a true warrior. She peacefully and bravely passed of CNS Lymphoma April 11, 2025, at 65 years old. This was just over three months after she lost her husband and love of her life of 40 years, Charles Helfrich.

Zelda and Charlie had 14 grandkids and 9 great grandkids, with two on the way. They were their pride and joy - everything they did revolved around them. Zelda is survived by her children: Penny VanLom (Timber) and Janelle Larson (Harry), Charlie Helfrich (Debra), Rick Helfrich, and Chris Helfrich (Melody); her three brothers: Terry Warner, Kevin Warner, and Tim Warner; along with her mother, Eunice Warner.

Zelda's Celebration of Life will be held at Creekside Event Center in Fruitland, Idaho, on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.