Helen DeGrasse, 91, a Minden resident, died Oct. 3, 2005, at Carson Convalescent Center in Carson City.
She was born Dec. 18, 1913, in New York City to Demetry and Mary Kostraba Dudinec. She was the daughter of Carpatho-Rusyn emmigrant parents of the once Austria-Hungarian Empire era, which is now part of the Ukraine. She lived in New York City and then moved to Manville, N.J.
She married Leo Merrill DeGrasse. He preceded her in death.
Before moving to Minden, she lived in Hanson, Mass., Manhattan Beach, Calif., Ojai, Calif., and Vernal, Utah.
During World War II, Mrs. DeGrasse worked at a defense contracting company.
Among her survivors are children Janice M. Elliott of Minden and Claude A. French Jr., of Bedford, Mass.; grandchildren Harry G. French and Claude A. French III; three great-grandchildren; sister Julia Kelco of Manville and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation will be at FitzHenry's Crematory.
FitzHenry's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
