Helen Stratton DeMille

Our dear Helen Stratton DeMille passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Washington, Utah at the age of 93. Helen was born on the 21st of February 1933 to Carl and Laura Lorette Stratton in La Verkin, Utah. She was the oldest of 7 children, 5 girls and 2 boys. Growing up, she loved to play with her sisters, read Nancy Drew books, and listen to music. She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the La Verkin Hot Springs. Helen attended school in Hurricane, Utah. She loved hanging out with her childhood friends, going to dances, and being in skits. Helen met Rodney DeMille from Rockville, Utah, in the 7th grade. She finally got him to stop hunting long enough to put her in his sights. They were married on May 25th, 1950, in the St. George LDS Temple. Together they built a long life of 69 years of marriage and had 5 children: 4 sons and 1 daughter. They raised their family in La Verkin, Utah. Helen had a variety of passions and hobbies that brought joy to her and those around her. She enjoyed sewing, embroidering, canning, and had an immense love of gardening. She loved flowers and really had a green thumb. She could keep any plant thriving and alive. Flowers were especially dear to her heart and her yard always had flowers growing about. Her favorite flowers were sunflowers and ranunculus. She always loved hanging hummingbird feeders and could be caught often just sitting and watching them flutter around. She planted a glowing garden every year; tomatoes, squash, onions, and green beans were her favorites. One of her hobbies also included collecting cookbooks, recipes, and cooking. She brought her family together with her fried chicken, homemade bread, thanksgiving stuffing, and her delicious chocolate cake. It was one of the ways she showed love. She also loved getting out and going for a drive, hunting for arrowheads, pine nuts, and roadside asparagus. Helen worked at Kellwood and Wenzel’s for fifteen years; she was known for being a great seamstress by those who had worked right alongside with her. She also worked for Zions bank as a courier, and loved her daily drives up to Springdale, Utah. She loved her family and loved visiting with each and every one of them. She loved the grandkids, great- grandkids, and her great-great-grandkids. Visiting was her favorite pastime—she would get her rocking chair out and ready just in case a baby would stop by. She LOVED rocking babies. Helen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. She served in many capacities, including as a Primary president, and loved her calling of creating the ward bulletin for many years. Her quiet devotion and love for her family and friends were proof of her example of becoming like her Savior. Helen is survived by her children: Craig (Wilma) DeMille, Susan (Charles) Gubler, Kevin (Valerie Jill) DeMille, and Kirk (Rona) DeMille. She is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, her sister Carlyn Hall, and her brother Phil (Jenny) Stratton. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Rodney Alma DeMille, her son Kent DeMille, her parents Carl and Laura Lorette Stratton, her siblings Dorothy Stratton (infant), Rayanna Andra, Doris Oborn, Dale Stratton, and great-grandson Bronson Kaden DeMille. The family would like to thank all those who loved and served Helen over the years: all her precious friends, her ward family, her own family, her wonderful caregivers, aides, nurses, and doctors at Ovation & Peak Home Health and Hospice. A family graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 29th at 10:00am at the La Verkin City Cemetery. In honor of Helen, drink a Diet Coke and say, “THE PAUSE—IT REFRESHES.” BYE FOR NOW!