Helen Ruth (Milholland) Chapman
Marriages
Ernest Chapman - June 23, 1945
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 5A - July 24, 2022
Helen Ruth (Milholland)
Chapman, a beloved wife,
mother and grandmother
passed away on July 14th
2022, at the HopeWest
Hospice Care Center,
being just a few weeks
away from the age of 98. She was a lifetime member of
the Collbran Congregational Church.
Helen was born in Collbran, CO, to Herbert R. Sr. and
Nina B. (Skinner) Milholland, the fifth of six children.
She grew up on the family ranch in Molina and
graduated from Collbran Union High School in 1941.
Following graduation, she was employed in Salt Lake
City and Grand Junction. Two of Helen’s brothers served
in World War II along with many local young men in
the Plateau Valley area. Ernest Chapman came home
for a brief stay, following a war injury and began dating
Helen. Though knowing each other most of their lives,
a friendship turned into a lifetime of love and they were
married June 23, 1945. After living for a brief time in
Washington State, they returned home to begin ranching
with his parents, Francis Sr. and Myra Chapman and
Ernest’s brother, Francis Jr., who also served in WW11.
They raised four daughters on the family ranch. Helen
worked alongside Ernest throughout the years on the
ranch while raising a garden, canning, cooking, sewing
clothes for her daughters and community involvement.
After taking bookkeeping classes at Mesa Junior
College in the late 60s she worked as a secretary for the
Palisade Peach Board, then bookkeeper for Collbran
Supply, Donna’s Gift Store and kept the family business
records. She enjoyed crocheting blankets for all family
members and her favorite activity of walking. She
enjoyed close relationships with her family, especially
grandchildren, and many wonderful friends.
In 2007, Ernest and Helen decided to retire in their
mid-80’s from ranching and purchased a home in
Palisade. Adjusting to town life was a big change for
the country couple but they quickly enjoyed new and
old friendships in the area. After 68 years of marriage,
Ernest passed away and Helen continued living in the
home for another year and a half. She moved into the
Fountains Assisted Living Center in Grand Junction
and instantly enjoyed the companionship of many peers
and the wonderful staff. Not cooking for herself and
others was a big adjustment, but she quickly adjusted to
having meals served for her and the forbidden deserts.
After living at the Fountains for seven years, with a
loving and caring staff (extended family), she entered
the final journey of her physical life at the HopeWest
Care Center. She will always live on in the memory and
hearts of those who knew her.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; brothers,
Herbert Jr., Gordon, Howard and Stuart Milholland;
and sister, Frances Bucher (Husband Ernest W);
and granddaughter, Nina Kay Barrow. Surviving
are daughters, Lillian Chapman-Ransom (Stacy),
Bonnie Ismay (John), Ernestine Chapman (Bill),
Janice Chapman (Ed); five grandchildren; 15 great
grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and many
nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date
in August. Memorial Contributions can be made to
HopeWest or Collbran Congregational Church.
