Helen Byers

Helen Byers, 87, formerly of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away November 8, 2018 in Arvada, Colorado surrounded by her family. She was born in Salida Colorado March 20, 1931 to Ben Maestas and Naomi Alire-Maestas.  She moved to Los Alamos with her family in 1947.  Helen attended high school in Los Alamos graduating in 1949.  Helen started her career at Los Alamos National Laboratory shortly after graduation.  She stopped working at the LANL for a time to raise her family.  During this period, she worked for Los Alamos Public Schools as a bus driver.  She ultimately went back to work at LANL and retired from there in 1992.  Helen was preceded in death by husband Neale of 51 years and their two sons Tracy and Alan.  Helen is survived by her son, Mark Byers and his wife Jolene of Los Alamos, NM; daughter Cheri Vikdal and husband Michael of Arvada, CO; sister Rose Schnieder and husband Jim of Las Cruces, NM; and Helen’s pride and joy her grandchildren Daniel Byers and his wife Yvette, Timothy Byers and his wife Riki, Austin and Alyn Vikdal; and her great grandbabies Rylee and David Byers.  Helen will be dearly missed by her family and friends.  Helen is remembered for her fabulous cooking, warmth of hospitality, remarkable strength and courage through her life’s trials, positive attitude, unconditional love, and her beautiful faith in God.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 am on Saturday November 17 at the First Baptist Church, 2200 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos New Mexico.  Burial will follow at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The family of Helen Byers has entrusted her funeral arrangements to DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com.