1/30/1919 – 3/15/2011
Helen Irene Lade (nee Sprout) age 92 of Bellingham, died on March 15, 2011. Born in Wilsall, Montana, Mrs. Lade was a 35-year resident of Sumas and taught first-grade for nearly 42 years – first in Whitefish, Montana, followed by 35 years for the Lynden Public School District.
An enthusiastic duplicate bridge player, avid sports fan and political news devotee, she played piano in the Clearbrook Connection Dixieland Jazz Band for nearly 30 years.
Preceding her were her husband, Owen Merritt Lade; her mother and father; and three brothers and three sisters. She is survived by daughter Susan Fredrikson of Battleground, Washington; son Michael Lade of Bellingham; daughter Wendy Merritt of Culver City, California; four grandchildren and one great granddaughter.