Obituary of Helen L. Knebel

Helen Knebel, 96, of Eugene passed away November 29, 2021.  She was born April 8, 1925, to Ludvig and Emma (Anderson) Hansey in Nome, North Dakota. Helen was the youngest of 4 daughters and had 4 brothers.  After her mother passed away in 1936, her father and siblings all eventually moved from North Dakota to the Eugene – Junction City area.
Helen graduated from Eugene High School and soon started working for Safeway Grocery Stores. It was there that she convinced the store manager to hire a handsome young man returning from WWII. On January 26, 1947, Helen and Bill were married and enjoyed 69 years of marriage together. They had three children, Diane, Steve and Rodger. In 1969 Helen and Bill bought a grocery store from Irish and Schwartz on South Willamette St. and started E-Z Shop Market which they operated together for 17 years. After selling the business they maintained their friendships with their customers for many years.
Helen was always busy. She loved to sew and make quilts for family, friends and donated many to people in need. Helen hosted many family birthdays and holidays where we all have fond memories of her house being warmly decorated and the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Helen was a woman of strong faith and a longtime member of Central Lutheran Church. Helen took pride in her church serving on the Altar Guild and Solace Committee. She looked forward each year to seeing the quilts displayed in the sanctuary she and the Central Lutheran Quilters made each year before being donated. Helen had a kind and compassionate heart.  She always shared her kind words and helping hands to anyone she knew was struggling.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Bill, all her siblings, grandson Jeff and granddaughter Janie. She is survived by her children Diane (Henry), Steve (Julie) and Rodger (Debra). 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Lutheran Church in Eugene, on Saturday, January 15, 2021, at 1:00 pm. A live Stream of the Service will be available at connecttocentral.org .  Contributions may be given in her name to the Eugene Mission or Central Lutheran Foundation.  Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary.  Please access the online obituary where you are invited to sign the guest book at www.musgrove.com