Helen Louise Lanius, 89, of Oklahoma City, died on Saturday, August 9, 2014. She was born on July 17, 1925 to David and Dorothy Watson. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, John (Jack) H. Lanius, & brother, Paul Watson. She is survived by brother, David Watson Jr. of Delta, PA, her sister, Pauline Snyder of Delta, PA, her brother, Dale Watson of Windsor, PA, her son, William L. Davis of Whiteford, Maryland, her daughter & husband, Lynn & James Hicks of Harrah, OK, her son and wife, John & Dee Lanius of Ohio City, CO, her daughter & husband, Francy & Greg Palmer of Oklahoma City, three grandchildren, Keesa Lanius of Ohio City, CO, Jim Hicks and wife Sharon of Tahlequah, OK, and Jonathan Hicks and wife Kaitlyn of Oklahoma City, three step-grandsons, Matt Palmer and wife Andrea of Edmond, Brett Palmer of Stillwater, Clint Palmer and wife Courtney of Oklahoma City, one great grandchild, Orson Hicks of Tahlequah, OK, five step-grandchildren, Alex Hubbard of Oklahoma City, Adyson Palmer of Oklahoma City, Kayden Palmer of Stillwater, OK, Emery Palmer of Stillwater, OK, Gavin Palmer of Edmond, OK, and several nieces and nephews. Helen grew up in a very small community outside of Baltimore, Maryland, but had the opportunity to travel extensively through her husband's job with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) & subsequently FAA, spending six years in Germany (Bremen & Munich) where her two youngest children were born and five years in Tokyo, Japan. Unlike many of her peers of that era, Helen did not stay on the base and play bridge every day. She fully immersed herself in the culture of each country - learning to speak German and shop at local markets, and in Japan - learning to speak and write the Japanese language. She actually attended (without her husband's knowledge) a Japanese driving school and obtained her first driver's license in Tokyo, which was a very scary enterprise. She surprised her husband upon his return from a trip overseas by picking him up and driving him home to show off her accomplishment. Unfortunately she had a slight mishap by running into the commonly placed cement trash receptacles on the neighborhood streets of Tokyo. Helen was a very strong woman in every sense of that word - nothing deterred her from reaching whatever goal she set for herself. After her family's transfer to Oklahoma City in 1961, Helen was a homemaker until her youngest child left for college. She worked for a few years for Olan Mills Studio. She became a widow at 50 years of age in 1976. She volunteered for over 14 years at her church, Church of the Savior, helping to prepare/cook mobile meals for that program and volunteered for many other church related activities/projects. Helen was affectionately known as "Blondie" during her younger days due to her beautiful long, blonde hair. Everyone who met Helen commented about her smiling blue eyes. She had an enormously kind, giving and forgiving heart and a genuine love and care for all living creatures. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family would like to thank Helen's Pastor, Jim Newby, for his care for her during her stay at Sterling House West. They would also like to thank the entire staff of Sterling House West for the kind and special care given Helen during her 3 + years stay with them, particularly, Linda Bromlow, Jennifer Lukasek, Michelle, Pam, Charlotte & Bria. They would also like to thank Jessica with Heavenly Hospice for her help in Helen's peaceful parting. The memorial service for family & friends will be held on Saturday, August 16th at 11:00 AM at Church of the Savior, 5600 NW 63rd St, Oklahoma City, OK. Visitation hours are Thursday, August 14th from 9:00AM to 9:00PM at Mercer Adams Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Church of the Savior, 5600 NW 63rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73132. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.mercer-adams.com Funeral Service Saturday, August 16, 2014 11:00 AM Church of the Savior 5600 NW 63rd St Oklahoma City, OK 73132