Person:Helen Andridge (1)

From the July 2, 2010, edition of the Patterson (CA) Irrigator

Helen Irene Prachar-Reis Aug. 27, 1917 - June 14, 2010 Services were conducted last week for former Patterson resident Helen Irene (Andridge) Prachar-Reis, who died June 14 at Banner Lassen Medical Center in Susanville with her family by her side. Mrs. Prachar-Reis, 92, was born in Hamill, S.D., to May Henrietta Delp and Scyler Colfax Andridge. In 1935, she married Donald L. Prachar, and the couple had two sons, Donald L. Prachar Jr. and Ronald G. Prachar, and two daughters, Shirley M. Prachar-Billick and Sharon D. Prachar-Simmonds. In 1948, the family settled in Galt. She married valley cattle buyer and rancher Jess Reis of Patterson in 1969 and enjoyed 36 years of marriage working alongside him as a rancher's wife. Following Mr. Prachar-Reis' death, she returned to Galt to be nearer to her family. In May 2005, she moved to the northeastern California community of Westwood to live with her daughter, Sharon, after the death of two of her children, Ronald and Shirley, in October 2004. Mrs. Prachar-Reis is survived by two children, Sharon Simmonds of Westwood and Donald Prachar Jr. of Yerrington, Nev.; her eldest sister, Eva Hollison, and her family; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Mrs. Prachar-Reis was buried alongside her late husband, Donald Prachar, in the Galt-Arno Cemetery, and a celebration of her life took place at the Galt Grange Hall. A memorial guest register is available at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. Contributions in Mrs. Prachar-Reis's name may be sent to Sierra Hospice, c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 803, Greenville, CA 95947.