Helen Ruth Harden

PLEASE ASSEMBLE IN LANE "C" AT DFW NATIONAL CEMETERY AT 9:15 AM FRIDAY FOR PROCESSION TO SERVICE SITE AT 9:30 AM Helen Ruth Harden, CRM, FAI Helen Ruth Harden went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 8, 2013 at the age of 86. She was an incredibly remarkable woman and left a legacy of joy. Helen was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and moved to Dallas as a young child. During those early years of her life she lived in Oak Cliff with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Upon graduation from high school, Helen was employed at AT&T for 3 years. Helen moved out to the “country” and became a longtime resident of Lancaster, Texas in 1947 where she began building her home one room at time. She shared her home with her dear friend, Rose Kamper until Rose passed in 1998. Upon Roses’ death her daughter, Erlynn Kamper Cantwell became Helen’s housemate until her death in 2010. At the age of 23, Helen proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve her country during the Korean Conflict and achieved the rank of Sergeant. She served in the United States Marine Corps, as an Instructor- Link Trainer, 1950-1952. Helen instructed Marine pilots in learning the flight simulator instrument panel s of the planes they would be flying. Upon returning to Lancaster, Helen was employed by the Frito Company and began what would become a very successful career in records management. Helen would spend the next 33 years at Frito, retiring in 1986. In the early days at Frito she studied business textbooks from the Dallas Public Library to gain knowledge of corporate operations as there were no books on record management at the time. In 1956-1957, she supervised the in-house file reorganization. From 1952-1986, Helen designed, developed, implemented, and directed the corporate records management program. Wrote policy and procedure manuals for each phase: Active records, Records storage, Micrographics, Records retention schedules, and Vital records schedule. She traveled throughout the US for Frito to monitor the records retention departments at many locations. One of Helen’s proudest professional achievements was her membership in ARMA, American Records Management Association. In 1959 Helen joined the American Records Management Association as a Member-at-Large. From 1961-1964 she worked with four other Members-at-Large in the Dallas area to found the ARMA Dallas Chapter. She is credited as a co-founder of the chapter and became the First President of the Dallas Chapter, serving two terms 1964 and 1965. In 1972 she became the National President of the American Records Management Association and served as Chairman of the 1972 ARMA Annual Conference. In 1975, she was the 9th recipient of the Emmett Leahy Award and in 1976 received the Certified Records Manager designation. In 1982, Helen became the President of the Institute of Certified Record Managers. From 1986-1989, she taught a Records Management Course at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster. She also taught courses of Administrative Management and Texas City Records Management. In 2006, she was inducted into the ARMA, International Company of Fellows (FAI). She became Fellow #40. Helen was a speaker on records management at various meetings, workshops and seminars throughout the years. In 1990-1992, Helen worked as a Land Acquisition Representative for Universal Field Services, Inc. (a right of way company) for the Super Collider project in Waxahachie. She maintained acquisition documents and cost analysis of all properties for the Super Collider project. In 1993, at the age of 66, Helen graduated from Cedar Valley College with an Associate of Applied Science degree. Northwood University presented Helen a Citation of Merit Award in 1995 in recognition of her outstanding contributions in influencing the lives of its graduates. Helen served as a Mentor to Northwood students. Helen was also active in the Lancaster City Government, served on many committees including the Economic Development Committee and at one time ran for the office of Mayor. She was a member of the Fresh Anointing Worship Center where she taught a weekly Bible Study class. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. Helen Ruth Harden, CRM, FAI will be buried at the DFW National Cemetery on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 9:30 a.m., with Military Honors. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: ARMA International Educational Foundation at hhtp://www.armaedfoundation.org/memorial.html or mail to: ARMA International Educational Foundation, 1609 Terrie Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Friends are invited to a reception following the funeral service at the Holiday Inn Express, 1035 E. Hwy 67, Duncanville, TX 75137. Please come to celebrate Helen’s life.

Tributes

Helen Ruth Harden

January 10, 1927 - April 8, 2013