Helen Lousia Erichsen passed away Saturday, October 7, 2017 at home in Des Moines at the age of  87.  Helen was born May 19, 1930 in Ute, IA to Roy Lee and Louisa Albertina (Larsen) Sanders.

Helen graduated from Danbury High School in Danbury, IA in 1947 and later graduated from business college in Omaha, NE. She started, owned and operated Helen Erichsen Draperies and Design, in Storm Lake, IA, making custom draperies for many years until her retirement and subsequent move to Des Moines around 2005. She enjoyed her family and friends, sewing, needlework, gardening, cooking, and playing Bridge.

Helen is survived by daughters, Debbie (Scott) Friedrichsen of Schaller, IA and Patrice (Larry) Fagen of Indianola, IA; son-in-law, Paul Thomas of Enterprise, AL; grandchildren, Jade (Liz) Handy, Dustin (Michelle) Handy, Casey Reppe, Jesse (Kelly) Fagen, Viana (Todd) Insley, Christie (Fred) Rudolph, and Spring West; step-grandchildren, Stephanie (Justin) Hall, Christopher (Sallie) Thomas, and Steven (Mendy) Thomas;  twenty great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren; and sister, Donna (George) Masche of Pittsburgh, PA.

She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Paula Thomas; two sisters, Marie (Earl) York and Della (Karl) Graversen; brother, Leroy Sanders; grandsons, Shane Handy, Terry Hawke, Gary Hawke Jr., and Joshua Garrett.