1928
Helen
2022
Helen Johantgen Jackson
December 27, 1928 — July 26, 2022
Helen Johantgen Jackson passed away Tuesday 7/26/22. She lived a long and eventful life almost exclusively in California. Born December 27
th
, 1928 to Ysauro and Elena Lujan of Stockton, Ca. Helen was the sixth of seven Lujan children.
Helen spent her youth in Northern California where she first found her love of animals. She worked for Pacific Bell as an operator and attended Pasadena City College. Helen married John (Jack) Johantgen and moved to Ridgecrest in the late 1950's and together raised 7 children. Helen was a lifetime learner, earning multiple college degrees in Science, Early Childhood Development and a Masters in Business. She was a substitute teacher in Ridgecrest as well as the outlying areas from Lone Pine to Trona.
Her love of animals involved having a wide range of pets that included dogs, cats, a horse, pig, goat, cow and even a spider monkey. Helen was known to give her last piece of food to any animal if she thought it was hungry before she would feed herself. Helen owned and operated her own kennel business and a non-profit for orphaned animals. Later, Helen married Dr. Larry A. Jackson, a veterinarian and enjoyed going on house calls with Larry whenever possible.
Helen was active in the 4-H club and a member and President of the Ridgecrest Photography Club. Helen was often seen around town with her camera hanging around her neck, ready to take a picture of anything she deemed "interesting."
Helen was also active in both local and national politics, often attending city hall meetings and volunteering to oversee the county polling stations for over 20 years.
Helen was a devout Catholic and active within St. Ann's Parish where all of her children attended school; she was one of the first volunteers at St Ann Catholic Church where she helped with the planting and garden maintenance. Helen was very interested in botany and horticulture, she enjoyed California Native hikes and gardening.
Helen was preceded in death by her brothers Reynaldo (Rey), Ysauro (Lucky) and Steve Lujan, sister Eloise (Loy) Lapeyri, son Knud Nielsen, daughters Helen Claire Heck and Marie Johantgen Mello MD. Helen is survived by two daughters, Kathrine Bess Johantgen-Reed and Jeannie Johantgen-Fitch, sons John and Francis Johantgen, plus many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her older sister Marguerite Van Coops and younger sister Herminia (Dolly) Salazar and so many other close friends she considered family. Helen was 93 years young.
A mass will be held September 17th, at 10am at St Ann Catholic Church with a reception following in the parish hall immediately after. In lieu of flowers, Helen has requested consideration of a donation to a local mental health provider of your choice. Holland and Lyons Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Johantgen Jackson, please visit our flower store.
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