Dec. 14, 1941 - Jun. 1, 2026
Date of Service: Jun. 12, 2026
Service Program
WENDELL – Helen Pauline DeLong, 84, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Wendell, Idaho, with her daughter and granddaughter by her side.
Helen was born on December 14, 1941, in American Falls, Idaho, to Leroy and Bertha Kulm. She spent her early childhood on the family farm before moving with her family to Quincy, Washington, and later to Jerome, Idaho, where she graduated from Jerome High School in 1960. Following graduation, she attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, Washington.
After completing her education, Helen settled in Burley, Idaho, where she worked as a receptionist for Dr. Kircher. On November 9, 1961, she married Gary DeLong. Together they shared a love of dancing, camping, and traveling on their Harley motorcycle. They welcomed two children, Randall and Trina, and Helen often said her happiest years were those spent raising her family.
Helen was a talented seamstress, an excellent cook, and enjoyed horseback riding. Tragedy struck in 1975, when her husband Gary and son Randall were killed in a pickup/train accident. Despite the profound loss, Helen devoted herself to raising her daughter and building a life filled with love, resilience, and determination.
For a brief time, Helen and Trina lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, before returning to Idaho, where Helen felt was the best place to raise her daughter. Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed traveling and created cherished memories with Trina on trips to Spain, Morocco, Mexico, Hawaii, and many other destinations.
Helen was an entrepreneur who owned and operated a women’s clothing store, Helen’s, in Burley. She later worked in several occupations before finding a home at Cassia Regional Hospital, where she served as a cook for ten years. Her delicious soups and mashed potatoes became favorites among staff, physicians, and patients alike. She retired at age 58 and treasured the opportunity to help care for her beloved granddaughter, Brooke, who brought immense joy to her life.
Helen’s greatest love was her family. She found happiness in gathering loved ones together and remained devoted to those she cared about throughout her life.
She is survived by her daughter, Trina (Tony) Ciocca of Wendell, Idaho; granddaughter, Brooke Ciocca of Wendell, Idaho; sister, Karen (Allan) Justesen of Filer, Idaho; niece, Joann (Gary) Overlin and family of Grace, Idaho; nephews, Adrian (Rhonda) Ehrmantraut and family of Twin Falls, Idaho, Mike (Ellen) Ehrmantraut and family of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Eric (Alysia) Budd and family of North Dakota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leroy and Bertha Kulm; brother, Leonard Alan Kulm; sister, Betty Bagby; husband, Gary DeLong; and son, Randall DeLong.
Helen passed from this life surrounded by the love of her family and is now reunited with her husband and son in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The funeral will be held on Friday, June 12, at 11 a.m. at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 East 16th Street, in Burley. Family and friends will be received for one hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Interment will follow at Paul Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home.
