Obituary; Helen "Lenore" Kephart

Helen…Lenore as she liked to be called was born in Boulder, Colorado to Fred and Wilma Gardner. When Lenore was past 10 years old her mother and father were divorced. Wilma took Lenore to Los Angeles, California to live. Lenore went through school as a model student and graduated Venice High School in 1944. Lenore later married her sweetheart Edgar “Bruce” Kephart on January 28, 1945. Edgar liked to be called “Bruce” all his life! In the following eight years they lived in several states wherever there was work for Bruce. California, Oklahoma, Kansas and back to California. In this time four sons were born. David Bruce in 1946 in California, Jackie “Jack” Lee in 1948 in California, Larry Carl in Kansas in 1950, and last Donald George in Oklahoma in 1951. The family finally settled in Venice, California in 1953.

On January 26, 1966 a girl was born, Holly Sue Kephart-Dalton. As the years went on the boys grew up and moved out. In 1979 Bruce retired and moved Lenore and Holly up to Janesville, California, built a house and settled in. They were happy there and Holly graduated high school and married a school sweetheart. Lenore and Bruce lived on until dad’s (Bruce) death in 1994. Later on Lenore moved to Plains, Montana at the urging of her sister-in-law, Irene Kephart. Lenore sold the Janesville house and bought property outside of Plains in 1996. Her son, David moved her up and then moved himself a month later liking the deep snow! They lived in a double wide home for a couple of years and then decided to build their own home on the property. Lenore has lived in Plains since then and has loved the people, river and countryside!

Lenore died on January 16, 2015 from complications of a stroke on January 1, 2015.

Helen “Lenore” Kephart is survived by her sons, David, 69 of Plains. “Jack,” 67 of Simi Valley, California. Donald, 63, of Plains and Holly Sue Dalton, 49, of Congress, Arizona. Nine grandchildren and two great grand children. Numerous nieces and nephews and friends. Lenore was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Garnder and Wilma Halbert. Her older brother Wilfred “Willie” Gardner, 89, and Lenore’s son Larry Carl Kephart at 63.

Lenore’s wishes were to be cremated and placed with her husband “Bruce” in his grave in Janesville, California.

Helen “Lenore” Kephart will be missed  by her family and anyone who knew her!

Rest in peace, mom!