Helen Kay Kreizenbeck
An indefatigable volunteer and fierce consumer advocate, Helen Kay Scott Kreizenbeck of Boise, the lady with all the hats, died on December 9, 2009 at Summer Wind Residences.
Born to G. K. Scott and Gertrude Elizabeth Coski Scott June 6, 1913 on a family homestead south of McCall, she was the granddaughter of early Long Valley settlers. Raised in Roseberry and Donnelly, Helen Kay attended St. Theresa's Academy in Boise and graduated Donnelly High School. She was a student for two years at the College of Idaho but she interrupted her studies to marry Frank P. Kreizenbeck in 1935. In 1959 she achieved a long-held goal by earning her degree at Idaho State University.
Helen Kay's and Frank's travels started with many Forest Service moves in Idaho and Utah. To this couple two sons were born . . . . Frank's employment with Intermountain Equipment Company brought them to Boise from Pocatello in 1966 where they lived the remainder of their lives.
No matter the community, Helen Kay immersed herself in activities with volunteer organizations and her church. Among the many groups were the Girl Scouts of America, for which she attended a conference in Rome, Italy as an international delegate; Idaho Federation of Music Clubs; Idaho Council of Catholic Women; a founder and charter president of the Newman Guild on the ISU campus in Pocatello; Good Samaritan League and Maple Grove Grange in Boise. In 1992 she was recognized by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for 15,000 hours of volunteer service. Perhaps her greatest achievements were realized as executive vice president for Idaho Consumer Affairs where she was a passionate consumer advocate, educator and mediator. She helped hundreds of Idahoans with their consumer problems.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975. Survivors include her sons and their wives . . . five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister . . . and her nephews . . . who have been her caregivers in recent years.
Appreciation is extended to Dr. John Guicheteau and the staff at Summer Wind and Legacy Hospice for their kind and compassionate care. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 15 followed by a rosary at 6:45 and a vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Both services will be at St Mark's Catholic Church, 7960 Northview, Boise, with internment following in Emmett.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Long Valley Preservation Society, PO Box 444, Donnelly, Idaho 83615, or St. Mark's. Arrangements are with the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett.
