Helen Louise Launius

Helen Louise Launius passed away peacefully on November 13, 2023, surrounded by family.

Helen was born in Bloomfield, Missouri on October 21, 1932 to Ernest and Lois McCollom. She was the eldest of 7 kids. Helen married the love of her life Doy Launius on Sept 2, 1951. As a couple with 2 small children, they left home in Missouri and migrated to California in 1957.

Helen went to work for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department 1960, as one of the very first female employees. She retired in 1992, after 32 years of service and later came back to work extra help, retiring again with a total of 47 years at the Sheriff’s Department. Her ID number was 0053, surprising many of the young deputies calling in.

Helen and Doy traveled a lot after retirement, making lots of cross-country trips in their motorhome visiting family and friends. They were the happiest together making memories.

Helen was a member of the 1st Baptist Church of Moorpark, holding several offices throughout the years and was a woman of deep faith.

Helen is survived by her 2 daughters, Becky Ritchie (Mark), Vicki Vasquez (Steve), four grandchildren, Doyle Ritchie (Sandra) of Copperas Cove TX, Michael Vasquez (Corinne) of Simi Valley CA, Cheyenne Ritchie-Seibert (Dan) of Moorpark CA, and Lacey Knox (Craig) of Moorpark CA; 11 great grandchildren and 4 sisters, Ruthann Standridge of Louisville KY, Audrey Duncan of Dexter MO, Kathryn Hyslop of Dexter Mo, and Elaine Launius of Bloomfield MO, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

...Family in the care of Erin Arteaga, Funeral Director