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Helen was born September 22, 1927, to Rollie and
Hester Cockle in Kansas City, Kansas. She passed away in Muskogee, Oklahoma May 25, 2020, at the age of 92.
When Helen was in grade school , her family moved to El Paso, Texas due to her asthma. Her asthma went away with the dry El Paso air. Helen's mom, Hester, was homesick for family in Oklahoma, so after a few years, they moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Helen completed school there graduating from Okmulgee High School with the class of 1945.
After high school, Helen attended Northeastern College in Tahlequah on the Government Nurses Program, and completed her training at Muskogee City Hospital . Sometimes on weekends, she would travel by bus back to her family home in Okmulgee. Oftentimes, she would bring 2 or 3 nurses with her to have some fun family time and enjoy her mom's exceptional home cooking. Helen's favorite memories of her time as a nurse was at Oklahoma City Children's Hospital.
On January 11, 1948, she married the love of her life, Calvin Burchfiel, at her parent's home in Okmulgee. They lived in Muskogee where Helen worked at both the VA Medical Center and what was then Muskogee General Hospital. She retired from her position as House Supervisor of Muskogee Regional Medical Center shortly after her husband, Calvin, passed away.
Helen and Calvin enjoyed square dancing, bowling, and playing cards. They attended Ridgecrest Methodist Church when their children were young. Helen and the kids would often travel with Calvin to various meetings and conventions for the National Association of Letter Carriers, where she was a member of the Women's Auxiliary.
Helen had a lifetime passion for nursing and often said, "Once a nurse, always a nurse". Her Sunday roast beef, gravy, and mashed potatoes that she would make every Sunday were the highlight of the week.
Helen was a member of the Red Hat Club, New Friends, American Business Women's Association, and loved to travel. She has been on numerous trips including to Alaska, London, Europe, and several bus trips in the United States. She also loved swimming, playing cards and dominoes, which most recently she played at her home at Country Gardens and often would win.
Helen was proceeded in death by her husband, Calvin Kenneth Burchfiel, and her mom and dad, Hester Gladys Garr Cockle and Rollie Edward Cockle.
Helen is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Isabel Cockle, son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Laura Burchfiel, daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Randy Speaker, daughter and son-in-law Phyllis and Mike White; grandchildren Becky Barnhart (Cole), Greg Burchfiel, Calvin Burchfiel (Calu), Ike Burchfiel, Aaron Garner (Rainy), Clint Nelsen (Sarah), Erik Nelsen, Holly Brown (Brian), Brad White (Carressa), Kevin White (Alicia), and Aaron White (Becky); and great grandchildren Skylar Simmons, Blake Simmons, Brooke Barnhart, Breahna Garner, Abigail Garner, Leif Nelsen, Huey Nelsen, Elam Nelson, Ethan Brown, Claire Brown, Chloe White, Macy White, Audrey White, Charlotte White, Vivienne White, and Theodore White; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as her Country Gardens family and her friends.
Helen will be interned at Fort Gibson National Cemetery along with her husband, Calvin.
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