Helen Louise Rhoads Rafn, 89, a long-time resident of Salem, OR, returned to her Heavenly Father March 20, 2015 in Meridian, ID after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Louise was the only child of Ray Burton and Mary Lester Rhoads. She was born April 17, 1925 in Billings, MT. Louise grew up in a close-knit family and was especially close to her aunt Margaret. She graduated Billings Senior High School in 1943, after which she left for Missouri to attend Cotty College to study music. She went on to study business, elementary education and journalism in Montana. Little did Louise know, she grew up five blocks away from her future husband--Bruce Alan Rafn. Their relationship began with a strong dislike (on her part) and a "squirt" who had "a lot of nerve" asking for a dime at the bus station in downtown Billings. After that incident, even though she insisted she didn't like him, Louise began to go out of her way to pass Bruce's house every day. Even though she had recently had a blind date so bad she swore off dating, she accepted a last minute offer to go out with Bruce. After a night of dancing, and a long talk on her mother's front porch, the two were inseparable. Bruce and Louise married June 8, 1947 in Billings, MT. Louise loved music, and benefitted from private piano lessons. As a young woman she worked in a music store in Billings, selecting the records they carried and convincing patrons to buy sheet music by playing it beautifully for them. She fondly remembered the first red unbreakable records the store sold, and the first of those records she ever bought--a classical record of the works of Richard Strauss. Throughout her life she used her musical talents in many capacities. She served as an accompanist on both the piano and pipe organ in church for decades. Family gatherings weren't complete until she played, and many family musical numbers were made even more beautiful by her playing. During her husband's career in education, Louise and her family moved around the country living in California, Connecticut, Utah and Oregon. Her oldest children, Ron and Connie were born in Billings, MT followed by Chris and Nikki who were both born in Bakersfield, CA. Louise and Bruce were baptized as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 3 October 1953. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on 12 October 1957. They were sealed to their children Ron, Connie and Chris at that same time. Louise was known by her friends for her kind and gracious nature, by her family for her unconditional love, and by all for her love of making everything around her beautiful. Louise left this world with a smile in a home full of family. Her beloved husband, Bruce, preceded her in death in March 2014. She is survived by her four children: Ron Rafn (Vicky), Keizer, OR; Connie Smith (Jerry), Tucson, AZ.; Chris Rafn (Linda), Washougal, WA.; Nikki Tedders (Jay), Meridian, ID; 22 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; cousin, Robert Rhoads (Dicksy), Provo, UT; brother-in-law, Jerry Rafn, Tigard, OR, and his sons, G Thomas Rafn (Jill), and Scott Rafn (Cindy). A graveside service and interment will be held in her honor on March 26, 2015 at 2:00pm at Willamette National Cemetery, 8098 SE 112th Ave., Portland, Oregon. Arrangements are under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel, Nampa. 467-7300. Condolences may be expressed at zeyerfuneralchapel.com
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