PALMER MARLER FUNERAL HOME
PERRY, NOBLE CO, OK
(permission granted)

Helen Virginia Phillips, Dexter, Stangl was born November 12, 1934 to Raymond and Nellie (Taylor) Phillips in Havre, Montana. Helen passed away in her home on September 4, 2017 at the age of 82.

She attended grammar schools in Pocatello, Idaho, and Yakima, Washington, and graduated from Whitefish High School, Whitefish, Montana in May 1952. Helen attended the University of Montana in Missoula, and then graduated from Modern Beauty School, also in Missoula, in 1954. She worked at the Palace Beauty Salon until she met and married Bobby Joe Dexter on September 21, 1957. Helen and Bob made their home in Missoula, Clinton, and Corvallis, Montana, while raising their three children, Michael Scott Dexter, Michelle Lynn Dexter Lawson, and Marla Jo Dexter Ezell. The family moved to Perry, Oklahoma in August 1972, back to Bob’s hometown. He preceded her in death on July 24, 1977.
Helen was active in her children’s school activities, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Perry from 1977-1984. She was later confirmed into the Catholic faith.
Helen married Donald Stangl on June 26, 1982. They made their home in Hennessey and Marshall, Oklahoma prior to moving to Perry in 1992. Helen and Don traveled to many places, enjoyed dancing, and attended church services together. They were members of the Kountry Kickers dance group that met monthly at Tetik’s Barn for an evening of dancing fun. Helen was also very active in the church, whether preparing soup and sandwiches for Ash Wednesday, or serving in various officer positions within the Altar Society at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Don preceded her in death on June 28, 2016.
Helen retired from Ditch Witch after 22 years of service. She was part of the first group of women hired to work in the plant in April 1974, and worked there until December 1996. She liked attending Ditch Witch company picnics and the Oklahoma State Fair, and traveling on various bank trips through the years. Helen also enjoyed her YMCA ladies exercise classes, where many friendships were nurtured over Zumba and Tai Chi. The Perry Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary gained Helen as a volunteer in 1997, where she served in the gift shop for over 20 years, until her health declined. She was a breast cancer survivor for many years, until it resurfaced in October 2016. Her struggle was hard fought and ended on Labor Day 2017.

Helen is survived by her three children, Michael Dexter of Fort Worth, Texas, Michelle Lawson and husband Gary, of Perry, Oklahoma, Marla Ezell and husband Derick, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, one granddaughter, Megan Lawson, of Norman, Oklahoma, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Nellie Phillips, and her siblings, Allen Phillips, Jeanne Lathrop, and Nancy Moore.

Helen’s celebration of life will be at 1pm, September 8, 2017, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church of Perry, with private interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Palmer-Marler Funeral Home of Perry.