Helen Schmill

Helen F. Schmill, 85, devoted Christian, Casper native, poet, AKA,"Cowboy Grandmother, SUPERMOM, Starla Blake" and journalist went to her "Great Reward" on August 13th, 2013 at Shepherd of the Valley Health Care Center attended by her family. Helen was born premature in Casper, WY September 11, 1927 to John and Alice Fisher whom named her after Helen of Troy for her will to survive. Her love of religion, the cowboy way, Democrats, nature, arts and cooking was inspired by her father John and her mother Alice whom she deeply loved. Her first poem about the 4th of July was published in the Tribune Herald at the age of eight. She loved Fairies and could be seen during the holidays always wearing her signature fur trimmed Santa Claus hat. Helen was a passionate reader. Helen met an airman Glenn Schmill "with gypsy eyes" at a NCHS Dance in 1943. They wrote love letters and she attended the University of WY, pledged to Alpha Chi Omega, until they were married in 1947 and moved to Houston on the GI bill. Helen described that as the best years of her life working for Humble Oil, with a nice GI house (painted red, white and blue), sewing, and taking trips to the Galveston beaches where she studied geology, flora and fauna. Moving to Alamogordo, NM, both Helen and Glenn received employment with Hughes aircraft at Holloman AFB, working with rockets tested at the White sands missile range. They purchased an orchard in the mountains; Helen continued her naturalist studies in the desert. Their first son John Glenn was born in 1959. Her second son, Daniel Ben, was born six years later. Helen returned to Houston working for Humble and was devastated by the death of her younger brother John Fisher Jr. She divorced during her grief and returned with her sons to Casper in 1970. Sister Mary Lou Day loaned Helen her house use. Helen worked for Conoco and her part time "dream job" at the Tate Museum surrounded by dinosaurs and geology. Helen resumed her education and studies of literature, poetry and attending night courses at Casper College. In 1977 she graduated from Casper College with an AA in journalism and twice from the University of WY with a B.S. Social Sciences, 1985 and Fine Arts/Humanities 2000. She continued studying world history, ancient world leaders and civilizations. Helens father had built a cabin named "Alpine "on Casper Mountain. Helen would bounce up the rocky road in her jeep on a sojourn to use the quite solitude under the pine trees surrounded by God's creatures for writing inspiration. She wrote frequent letters and articles, including inspirational weekly notes published by the Casper Star Tribune and Casper Journal. Her name was well known in Casper for her frequent and sometimes controversial letters to the editor. "Leaning Tree" greeting cards published many of her poems which gave her great joy. She published four books, A Morning with God A children's book with pictures of Kenya Illustrated by Evans Nganga (13) and Timothy Nganga (8), the sons University of WY /Casper Collage Professor John Kambutu, Paradise Lost 2011: A Reading Play for the Churches and the Schools, A Grandmother's Old Testament Hymns: A Living Autobiography , Pictures of Heaven. Helen awoke from a dream of Heaven and immediately began writing the book describing her vision. Her writing is well known in Casper, although most of her work was never published. She wrote novels, stage plays, screen plays and her favorite works included, Bible studied in Poetry, the Creation-Song of Mother Nature, in which she combined art and science in a retelling of Genesis 1, and Poetry Inspired by the Wildflowers of Casper Mountain. Helen participated in Casper Writers Group, was a children's story reader at Casper Public Library and taught Sunday school. A lifelong Christian, she was an active member of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, attending worship services and Bible study. Michelangelo was her favorite artist. Helen was never wealthy but she did give generously to her church and Cal Farley's boys Ranch in Amarillo, TX. In Lieu of Flowers she wished donations to Casper College, John E Fisher, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, Amarillo, TX A member of Mensa with an IQ she suggested was <150, She edited two Mensa newsletters, Wyomensa for Wyoming Mensa's and the Creative Retirement Special Interest Group, which led to friendships throughout Wyoming and the United States. Inspired by Julia Child, her life achievement in cooking came when she entered her "Rosemary" chicken recipe in a national chicken cook off. She placed first in WY and represented WY in Atlanta, Georgia finishing third for skinning her chicken. The judges remarked her chicken tasted the best. Helen was frequently pioneering trends and thoughts ahead of her time. Helen was lifetime President for the Casper Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. Helen's epiphany was a project "SUPERMOM" She copyrighted "SUPERMOM" for audio and recorded children's stories as Starla the Cowboy Grandmother. She later created "Cowboy Wyoming", an Old West Tourism village. She wished it to be developed in the McMurry Business Park with strip malls featuring Lou Talbert's (her favorite store and good friends) and with top name country entertainment. She wanted Casper to have copyrights as the "Cowboy Capital" featuring the country's leading performers, larger the Medora Music festival and able to rival Jackson Hole for shopping and works of art. In memory of Helen, the family wishes that you support her Cowboy WY cause. Helen loved her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and they continue in her footsteps with a love of the Art's, Education, nature, poetry and cooking. Helen is survived by her sons, John Glenn (Vickie) Tioga, ND, his daughters, Allison and Brooke, step granddaughters, Amanda and Stephanie and great grandson, Braylon; Daniel Ben (Shirley) of Rock Springs, WY, his son, Tyler and daughter, Margaret and step granddaughters, Kristina and Amy; niece, Jackie Tighe; her grand niece, Veronica; grand nephew, William Jr.; nephew, Jim Doyle, daughters, Amy (Jim Carlson and their son, Fisher) and Kim Doyle. Helen's brother John Jr.s widow, Jenette Ludeman, daughter, Christy Ludeman and son, Lester Ludeman; her niece, Shaunda Ludeman and great niece, Alexis. She has numerous cousins including the Richard Francis Family, Buck Fisher family, Clayton Dixon family, John Bever Family, Winburn Family and The Clan MacLennan USA. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alice Fisher; her sister, Mary Lou Day; her brother, John Fisher, Jr.; niece, Nancy Doyle; cousin, Marion PerLee and Karen Schmill. Cremation has taken place at Bustards Funeral Home. A Memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 4600 S. Poplar St., Casper, WY on Saturday, September 7th, 2013 at 2 pm. Internment of ashes will follow at Highland Cemetery in Casper.

Service

Saturday, September 7, 2013 2:00pm

Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church

4600 South Poplar

Casper, Wyoming 80601