People named Helene Becker

It is difficult to know a lot of details about my grandmother (Oma), Helene, because so much was lost during WWII. But when I was very young she would tell me stories about her life so I will pass along what I can. I was way too young to appreciate what she was saying at the time, sadly. I am 99% sure she was born in Russia, near the Black Sea. She had many brothers and sisters and they were very happy until the war broke out. She talked often of them singing together and playing instruments and dancing after their chores were done for the day. But they were Germans living in Russia so when the two countries went to war, she lost almost her whole family. She was able to rescue a very young nephew and niece, whom she raised as her own children. German soldiers would sneak over the border at night to bring these German people, once happily farming in Russia, but now stranded there, to Germany or Austria. Her then three-year-old nephew, Wilhelm (Willie or Bill) grew up to be my beloved father. Once they were brought over the border to Austria by the soldiers, they ended up in a displaced persons camp in Salzburg. They lived in what had previously been horse barns and families were separated only by blankets hung from the ceiling. Oma was a good mother to my dad and his new sister and they lived together in the DP camp for about 10 years or so. A Russian man, John Dobrinin, had lost his entire family in the war and was working nearby in the American camp, in the mess tent. He saw Helene and fell in love with her. He would send home the scraps left on the soldier's plates after they ate to Helene and her two children. He eventually became part of the family - he became my Opa. There was now a mother, father, brother and sister and they each took the place of those loved ones they lost in the war to make a little family. Finally in 1955, Helene and her family got the opportunity to come to America. They were sponsored by a farmer in Wiggins, Colorado - Mr. Kobobel -and spent some time on the Baer Farm as well. The family had to work for one year to repay their passage to America and were happy to do so. The family eventually met up with others from the DP camp in Salzburg that had come to America which is really quite a miracle - how do you find such people in the 1950's? I don't know how it happened but they were thankful and grateful to find old friends, mostly in Chicago. So they moved to the city, but eventually back to Berthoud, Colorado where Helene stayed for the rest of her life. Helene was an extraordinary seamstress, baker, cook, had a magnificent flower garden, and so many things she taught herself to do to keep some level of comfort during the war for her family. She was a happy person but often suffered terribly thinking about the loved ones she lost during the war. But they had a good life once they came to America and were grateful. Helene was so proud to become and American citizen! I am so thankful and grateful to her for raising my father. God Bless her soul.

Helene Eleanor (Becker) Moorehead of Stockton, San Joaquin County, CA was born on July 8, 1917 in Oakland, Alameda County, and died at age 85 years old on February 7, 2003.

Helene P Becker of Silver Spring, Montgomery County, MD was born on January 31, 1920, and died at age 70 years old on July 20, 1990.

Helene I Becker of Seattle, King County, WA was born on August 2, 1918, and died at age 84 years old on March 23, 2003.

Helene Becker of Spokane, Spokane County, Washington was born on October 8, 1887, and died at age 88 years old in September 1976.

Helene Becker was born on July 3, 1937, and died at age 60 years old on November 12, 1997. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Helene Becker.

Helene J Becker of Columbus, Platte County, NE was born on June 18, 1927, and died at age 82 years old on December 6, 2009.

Helene C Becker of Foristell, Saint Charles County, MO was born on October 18, 1884, and died at age 104 years old on June 23, 1989.

Helene Becker of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota was born on December 14, 1885, and died at age 94 years old in March 1980.

Helene V Becker of Palmyra, Jefferson County, WI was born on July 18, 1905, and died at age 92 years old on December 21, 1997.

Helene Becker of Avon Park, Highlands County, Florida was born on June 23, 1882, and died at age 90 years old in May 1973.

Helene Becker of Manchester Township, Ocean County, NJ was born on August 16, 1899, and died at age 77 years old in July 1977.

Helene Becker of Ridgewood, Bergen County, NJ was born on January 8, 1888, and died at age 94 years old in September 1982.

Helene Becker of Hollywood, Broward County, FL was born on April 2, 1904, and died at age 83 years old in April 1987.

Helene R Becker of Elmhurst, Queens County, NY was born on December 23, 1906, and died at age 81 years old on August 19, 1988.

Helene Becker of Miami, Miami-Dade County, FL was born on July 30, 1901, and died at age 79 years old in November 1980.

Helene M Becker of Hamburg, Erie County, NY was born on October 16, 1919, and died at age 82 years old on June 23, 2002.