Helen Leone Stoddard, 93, Minot and formerly of Rugby, died on Sunday, March 8, 2009 in a Minot nursing home.

Helen was born on March 15, 1915 in Rugby, ND to Ed and Martha (Tank) Schmutzler. She was reared in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School in 1933. As a young adult she was employed as a waitress at the American Café, in Minot, which is where she met her future husband.

Helen married Raleigh J. Stoddard on April 20, 1938 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where she was employed as a waitress and pastry cook and baker at the LePlaza Café and Riverside Supper Club. Raleigh was the Warehouse Foreman at Gavin Yard for the Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad for many years. They had resided at 2414 El Rio Drive for many years. Raleigh died on September 27, 1985. Helen had continued to live on El Rio Drive until she entered Trinity Homes in 2005.

Helen was a member of First Presbyterian Church - Minot and its Priscilla Circle. Also, she was a member of the Minot Kennel Club and Railroad Museum. She especially enjoyed camping, gardening, and training and showing her dogs which were usually German Shepherds.

Surviving family includes her special caregiver for many years Sally Dahle of Minot; nieces and nephews: Celesta and Bill Edwards, Marv and Arlene Avery and Mavis and Gary Williamson all of Minot; Cliff and Jackie Schmutzler of Great Falls, MT; Ken and Betty Burns of Puyallup, WA; Dick and Barb Schmutzler of Auburn, WA; Bob Schmutzler of Wenatchee, WA and Vern Schmutzler of Napa, CA as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters: Selma Ellsworth, Alice Berdahl and Rosie Kent and brother: Arthur Schmutzler.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church.