Helen

Helen L. Tiegs died quietly on July 18, 2026, just a month after her 97th birthday on June 16th. Helen was born in Herington, Kansas to Loren and Bernice Jones Crofton in 1929. She joined an older brother, Loren Keith. Her father was a railroader looking for work during the Depression. When Helen was 7 the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where Loren found inconsistent work. The family struggled until 1937, when employment with Union Pacific prompted a move to Nampa, Idaho returning them to prosperity.

Helen’s musical career began with piano lessons from her Aunt Mary in Salt Lake. During sixth grade in Nampa, her choral teacher discovered that Helen could accompany Lakeview School’s large choral group. She continued to accompany soloists and musical groups throughout her life.

Helen became a farm wife when she married her high school beau Donald Tiegs in 1948. She and Don were among the pioneers who drilled wells and turned high desert lands into fertile farm ground south of Nampa. They enjoyed a true partnership for 61 years until his passing in 2009.

While they were farming with Don’s father, Herbert, north of Nampa, Don and Helen began their family with three girls: Cynthia, Marsha, and Belinda. After moving to the Dry Lake area south of Nampa, three boys were born: Dean, Brian, and Kelly.

In 1962 Helen joined the Nampa Musettes, a women’s singing group and became their accompanist for 22 years. She was a member of the Southside Boulevard Methodist church and their pianist for nearly 50 years. She and Kristin Sample (on the organ) did more than play the pieces. Helen felt the composers’ message and communicated the love, sorrow, or exultation through her execution of the piece. Active in P.E.O., a philanthropic women’s organization, she served as president numerous times. She was instrumental in the formation of Nampa PEO Chapter BY. Helen belonged to Idaho Agri-Women and gave talks around the valley on the wide variety of seeds grown in Idaho. The city girl had grown to love farming.

Helen was outgoing and loyal to a fault. She committed her time and talents to a variety of organizations. In 1989 she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Community Service award by the National Grange.

Helen is survived by daughters—Cynthia (Eldon) Betz, Sunnyslope, Marsha (Al) Dangle, Spearfish, SD, Belinda (George) Kidd, Boise; sons—Dean (Cindy), Nampa, Brian, Nampa, and Kelly (Sandy) Dickenson, ND., 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and a great great grandson. Helen gave every member of her family the gift of unconditional love. She is irreplaceable and will be deeply missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother Keith, and grandsons Carey Mike Betz and Carl Kidd.

Arrangements are in the care of Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. Private burial will precede a memorial service to be held on Tuesday, July 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Southside Boulevard Methodist Church, 5420 Southside Blvd., Nampa.

The family would like to thank everyone at Journeys Hospice with special thanks to Linda Reyna. The unfailing kindness our mother received was a blessing to us all.

Memorial donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Southside Blvd. Methodist Church or to a charity of one’s choice.