Helen Rice Herzinger

The beautiful, poised, gracious, talented, loving daughter of her Heavenly Father, Helen Rice Herzinger, age 90, passed away in Bountiful, Utah, on Wednesday January 10, 2018  incident to Parkinsonism and age. She was preceded in death by her parents Jesse Blaine Rice (1928) and Clarissa Smith Rice Gillette (1981), her brothers Joseph Carol Smith, Donald Rice, and Everett Rice, her stepfather Lawrence A. Gillette, and nephew Donald Everett Rice.
Helen was born  on the family ranch in Malta, Idaho. She was the 4th child and the only daughter born to the family. Her father died of a brain tumor in 1928, and her mother had to sell the ranch and move the family to Oakley, Idaho to live with her parents, John and Julia Smith. Helen's mother married Lawrence Gillette when Helen was 16, and Helen gained a stepfather and siblings with whom she made many happy memories, especially of times up at the cabin.
Helen graduated from Oakley High School in 1945. That summer she attended Albion Normal School and, in the fall, she enrolled in the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Minor in English in 1949, and went on to receive her Master's degree in Music Education in 1950.
Helen met Norman S. Herzinger, from Buhl, Idaho, while they were both attending school at the University of Idaho. She and Norman married in Declo, Idaho, in August of 1949, and were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. In 1950, the young couple moved to Twin Falls, Idaho where they had two children: Carolyn and Norman 'Mark'.
Helen taught Head Start kindergarten for a time and then, in 1968, she joined the teaching staff of the Twin Falls School District, where she taught English at O'leary Jr. High.   She had a special knack of getting junior high students to actually enjoy taking English. Helen left formal teaching in 1982, and Helen and Norman moved to Portland, Oregon, where Helen joined Norman in his book sales business. They traveled throughout the northwest serving schools and libraries, and grew their own company devoted to books about antiques and collectibles. In 1992, Helen and Norman relocated to Bountiful, Utah for retirement.  After retiring, they served two LDS Missions; first one was at The Bountiful Temple, and the second was Family History Center in Salt Lake City.

Throughout her life Helen shared her great love of music whenever she could. She taught piano and organ lessons, and played for countless church meetings, funerals and weddings.  In addition to music, Helen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, knitting, baking, game playing, reading, creative writing, gardening, and watching the Jazz and BYU football.  Helen is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Norman Herzinger, daughter Carolyn (Larry) Kocherhans of Farmington, Utah, son Mark (Lana) Herzinger of Sagle, Idaho, nephew John (Laura) Lyman Smith, sister Renee (Charles) Gillette Clark, and sister in laws, Lillian Herzinger Dana and Joanne Rice. In addition, she is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Heidi (Bill) Kocherhans Mark, Erich Kocherhans, Craig (Margo)Kocherhans, Krista (Jonathan) Kocherhans Thomas, Blake (Ali) Herzinger, Ryan (Catalina) Kocherhans,  and Alyssa Herzinger, plus 10 ½ great grandchildren, as well as nieces Laurie and Elizabeth Rice, and nephew Gregory Flint Rice. Helen also leaves behind a host of long-time friends.
A viewing will be held at Russon Mortuary in Bountiful, Utah, 295 N. Main Street from 12:00-12:45 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2018. A Celebration of Helen's life will be held directly after the viewing at 1:00 p.m.  Interment will be in the Memorial Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful, Utah. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.
The family expresses special thanks to Legacy House of Bountiful, Utah, who provided mom and dad a comfortable home for 2 1/2 years, and the Cottage of Legacy House, along with Sarah and Rocky Mountain Hospice, for mom's last 9 weeks of care.