Helen Thompson

Helen Marie Thompson of Phoenix, Arizona passed away September 17, 2021, at the age of 93. Helen was born to Clifford and Tora Harrington in McHenry County, North Dakota. Helen grew up in farms in North Dakota. She wanted to be a nurse but became a wife and mother. She was very proud to have 2 nurses among her grandchildren. She raised her family in North and South Dakota following her husband’s crane operator career. Ray and Helen moved to Arizona in 1966 for Ray’s health. They were active in the Orangewood Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix and Sun City Church of the Nazarene. Helen was an active participant with the Caravan girls. They would take camping trips and trips to Disneyland. She was a huge fan of Mickey Mouse and noted that they were born the same year. She rode every single ride at Disneyland. She met Mickey face to face for the first time on her last trip there when she was in her 80s. After her children were grown and spread out she became a world traveler. She began traveling alone by train and bus and gradually moved to flying. She visited her daughter and son-in-law in Spain and Okinawa. She moved back to North Dakota settling in Deering where she settled into the community. She drove until she was 91. She and a younger sister followed a band because they loved dancing. They would be the last to leave and were known as the “dancing sisters.” Helen was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 1980, her son-in-law Ralph Groth in 2018 and a dear friend Vernon Brandt. She is survived by her children, Jane Groth, Lila Smith & Paul, Connie Lunn & James and Barbara Gomez brother Gene Harrington sister Judy Johnson Kinsey, 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be 9-10:30 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday September 23, 2021, at the Sun City Church of the Nazarene, 14636 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ. She will be laid to rest at West Resthaven Park Cemetery in Glendale, AZ.