Helen Louise Spaulding died Jan. 31 in Federal Way.

She was 97.

She was born in Sheridan, Wyo., and graduated from high school at the age of 16 as valedictorian of her class.

She lived in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington with her husband, Al Spaulding, a forest ranger with the U.S. Forest Service.

In 2003, she was recognized for her more than 60 years in PEO, a women’s philanthropic educational organization. During her retirement years in Federal Way, she enjoyed playing golf and bridge.

Survivors include daughters Marge deMers and Carol Schoenborn; sisters Hazel Grover of LaGrande, Ore. and Marge Wise of Idaho Falls, Idaho; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceeded in death by her husband.

A memorial gathering is planned for July near Priest Lake, Idaho.