Helen Veronica Troyer

Helen Veronica (Widhalm) Troyer, 92, of Hugo, Colorado, was born on July 6,1933, in Hugo, to Michael and Phebe Louisa (Jefferson) Widhalm. She passed away April 18, 2026, in Hugo, surrounded by the love of her family.

Helen graduated from Hugo High School in 1951 and then attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska. After returning to Hugo, she met Raymond Troyer while working at the Lincoln County Courthouse. The two were united in marriage on August 2, 1952, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hugo.

Shortly after beginning their life together, Helen and Raymond lived in Fort Morgan, Colorado, where Veronica and Gerald were born. They later moved to Colorado Springs, where Ed was born, and then returned to Hugo, where Helen and Raymond opened the Gem Theater. Dan was born in Flagler, and Angela and Rod were born in Hugo. The family later moved to Burlington, Colorado, where Bill was born, and where they lived for more than 40 years, eventually semi-retiring in Ellis, Kansas. After Ray’s passing, Helen returned to Burlington and later to Hugo.

Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother whose love for her family was at the center of her life. She was especially proud of her Catholic faith and served for many years with St. Anthony’s and St. Catherine’s Altar and Rosary Society. In addition to caring for her home and family, Helen held several different jobs through the years.

She was a gifted seamstress and sewed for many clients, creating a wide variety of clothing, including wedding dresses, dance costumes, prom dresses, and recital outfits. She also lovingly made many clothes for her children and grandchildren. Helen took great pleasure in collecting fabric remnants and piecing together quilts. She made quilts for all of her children, many of her grandchildren, and others. As her life progressed she focused more on jigsaw and word puzzles, staying active in both mind and spirit throughout her life.

Helen loved to cook, and anyone was welcome at her table. She could cook like few others, and her family remembers her canning and preserving many fruits and vegetables.

Helen was the 19th of 22 children in the Widhalm family, where the importance of family was woven deeply into her life from the beginning. For Helen and Ray, family and travel were among life’s greatest joys. They often spent weekends visiting loved ones or welcoming family into their home. Together, they enjoyed many vacations and cruises and traveled to destinations across the United States. Helen especially loved short family trips to the mountains, often made even more special by a picnic of fried chicken, potato salad, and watermelon cooled in a mountain stream. She deeply loved her grandchildren, and her eyes always lit up whenever they were near.

Helen loved sports, especially her Denver Broncos. She also enjoyed watching the Olympics, with figure skating and gymnastics among her favorites.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond (Ray) Troyer; her son, Gerald Troyer; her grandson, Matthew Troyer; her son-in-law, John Boyles; her parents, Michael and Phebe Widhalm; her parents-in-law, Blueford and Beulah Troyer; 17 siblings, and by numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins from both the Troyer and Widhalm families.

Helen is survived by her children: Veronica Boyles, Ed (Sharon) Troyer, Dan (Myrna) Troyer, Angela (Carlos) Valenzuela, Rod (Cindy) Troyer, and Bill (Jenny) Troyer. Her sisters Betty Ann Bradberry, Theresa Kelly, Margaret Szczesniak, and Barbara Sides, along with her cherished grandchildren: Tabetha, Jennifer (Travis), Andrea (Rudolph), Dana (Cory), Zachery, Joey, Erica, Rebecca (Kip), Leigh, Holly, Amanda (Brandon), Brittany (Leland), Alexandra (Michael), Kimberly, Michalyn (Avery), Jarrett (Amber), Logan (Charity), Emma, Bella, Taraji, Tevion, Gus, Ryan, Aspen, Tyler (Berdena), Dylan; great-grandchildren: Jacquelyn (Sam), Joslyn (Hunter), Jade (Jade), Reagan, Sierra, Desiree, Katelyn, Xanthe, Ainzlie, Oakley, Izabella, Aaliyah, Payton, Carter, Hadley, Ben, Weston, Landyn, Madden, Jaxon, Avery, Audri, Allie, Jalen, Deion, Orion, Elyan, Kazen, Kingston, Morris, Moxlee, Tobi, Rosalyn, Ruthanne, Morgan, Abilene; and great-great- grandchildren: Bella, Everly, Leo, Brighum, Kaizley; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Helen will be remembered for her deep faith, loving heart, generous table, and the steady devotion she gave her family every day of her life.

Memorial contributions can be made to any breast cancer research foundation.