Helen Louise Dunne

Helen Louise Crist was born to Perl Marie Crist nee Brunk, and Frank L. Crist in Olathe, Kansas, September 24. 1913. She was reared in Cherryvale, Kansas, attended Kansas State College in Pittsburg, Kansas where she received her teaching certificate. She taught in a one room, eight grade rural school in Montgomery County, Kansas. She married Lloyd Cramer in 1934. They had two sons, Ted Cramer of Bartlesville and Richard Cramer, deceased. During World War II she worked as engineering draftsperson at the Bartlesville, Oklahoma Bureau of Mines Petroleum Experiment Station. She drew laboratory equipment, petroleum cracking towers and maps. She moved to Fort Worth, Texas and was employed by independent oil companies as a cartographer. She continued her education in the field of Geology and Paleontology at Texas Christian University. Painting had been her lifelong interest. In the ‘50’s she enrolled in the Westport, Connecticut, Famous Artist’s Schools by correspondence. She enjoyed numerous workshops in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area from internationally known artists. Helen eventually morphed from professional cartographer to professional artist. She frequently was asked by strangers what she painted, and she replied “large, very large!” Helen was pleased that one of her very large paintings was purchased and shipped by a resident to Brasilia, Brazil. Helen married Joseph S. Dunne of Fort Worth, Texas on December 28, 1970 in Cuchara, Colorado. They called Cuchara home until 1982 when they divided the year between Bartlesville and Colorado. She has been an active member of St. James Community. She felt she was especially gifted as a Hospice Volunteer. Helen is survived by son Ted Cramer and wife Marilyn, grandchildren Steve and wife Annette, Stephanie and husband, Shelby Gillette, Pat Shinn and wife Anne and Dr. Michelle Shinn; Ann Cramer Williams and granddaughters Cathy and Laura Cramer, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren and an extensive "adopted family." Memorials may be made to Martha’s Task, 718 S. Johnstone, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006 or to the charity of choice. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00 am at the St. James Catholic Church in Bartlesville.

Helen Louise Dunne

September 24, 1913 - July 29, 2017