Helen Marie Benscheidt

In lieu of flowers, Helen requested that memorial contributions be made to the Marie Mills Foundation.   Donations - Marie Mills Center 

Helen S Benscheidt

October 26, 1922 - September 2, 2026

Helen S. Benscheidt was born on October 26, 1922, in Portland, Oregon, and passed away on September 2, 2026, in Sherwood, Oregon, at the age of 103.

Helen was first married to Ted Bergeron, with whom she had three sons: Doug, Brian, and Russell. After living in locations around the world with her husband during and after World War II, she was widowed in 1952. She returned to Oregon and pursued her education, at Oregon College of Education where she earned a Bachelors and Masters. On December 26, 1959, she married Carl Benscheidt, and they had a son, Mark.

In 1963 she began her teaching career at Fairview Elementary in Tillamook Oregon.  Helen became an early advocate for children with special needs. She worked to establish a classroom at the local high school so students could begin participating in mainstream education, and she later developed a curriculum for teaching students with special needs.   In 1969 she co-founded what is now the Marie Mills Center Sheltered Workshop in Tillamook Oregon, which created employment opportunities after graduation and offered them dignity, purpose, and a valued place in the community.  The center was named after her niece who was challenged, and an inspiration for Helen. The center now serves more than 70 clients. At the time of her passing, Helen continued to serve on the Marie Mills Foundation board.

In 1971 she earned her Doctorate in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado.  Understanding the importance of early education, in 1974 when Tillamook School District did not yet offer kindergarten, Helen helped establish and served as teaching director of the AAUW kindergarten, expanding early educational opportunities for local children.

After her teaching career, Helen became an entrepreneur. She developed Ben Berg Lane, a boutique shopping mall where she opened her antique store, Yesterday House. She loved antiques, collecting, travel, bridge, gardening, and the finer things in life.

She was a member Daughters of the American Revolution, American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, The Shakespeare Club, The Royal Rosarians and St Albans Episcopal Church.

Helen is survived by her sons Brian Bergeron and his wife, Michele, of Dundee, Oregon; Russell Bergeron and his wife, Suzanne, of Lake Oswego, Oregon; and Mark Benscheidt and his wife, Suzie, of Fresno, California. She was immensely proud of her 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

We have no doubt, she has gathered a century worth of friends in heaven to catch-up and have a grand celebration!

Services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Friday, October 9th at 2pm, followed by a reception.

Please visit the guestbook portion of this site and enter a special memory or message. Thank you.

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