Helen Hagstrom

Helen Elise Hagstrom (née Benyo), 73, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Roseville, California, after a long battle with cancer. Surrounded by the love of her family–with middle child Kris at her bedside, while the rest of her children were on the phone and there with her in spirit–she was welcomed home into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Helen was born at the Pittsburg Community Hospital in Pittsburg, California on August 5th, 1952, to Micheal and Elise (née Schott) Benyo. She grew up in Antioch, California alongside her older brother Michael Schott Benyo and older sister Catherine Ann Stiefel. She graduated from Antioch High School in 1970 and enrolled at Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State) where she obtained an associates degree, before relocating to Los Angeles and working in the garment district. While in Southern California she attended Calvary Chapel for many years, but her search for new adventures and a more authentic faith led her north. She met future husband (Christopher) Eric Hagstrom on Christmas Eve in 1978 in Walnut Creek and soon relocated to Susanville. They married in late 1979, where she embraced country life, raising goats, rabbits, and chickens. At the Lassen County Fair in 1980, she was crowned that year’s “Grand Champion in Goat Roping.” From LA County to Lassen County, one has to be sure she did pretty well for her first year as a genuine “country girl.” Helen devoted herself to raising her family. They welcomed Peter in 1982, Kris in 1986, and Valerie in 1988, living up and down the San Joaquin Valley, before ultimately settling in Sacramento, California in 1995. Helen faithfully invested in her church community. She attended Bayside Church in Granite Bay, where she volunteered her time in the children’s ministry for 20+ years, demonstrating Christ’s love to countless kids during this time. In the later years of her life, her faith deepened as she courageously faced multiple battles with cancer. Rather than allowing suffering to define her, she used it to walk alongside others. She became a chaplain and served in several inner healing and grief ministries, offering compassion, encouragement, and hope to countless people navigating their own seasons of loss and hardship. She attended Burning Man in 2018 and 2019 with her church’s adult ministry, offering a sober sanctuary to festival attendees, where she volunteered to pray and offer a listening ear to those who were searching. Helen’s life work was love: love for God, love for her family and friends, love of good food, travel, and new adventures. She met the world with joy, tenderness, bravery, and a childlike playfulness that spilled outward to everyone around her. Helen’s unpretentious nature allowed her to find enjoyment no matter where she was or who she was with. Her gentle wisdom and rare ability to comfort with a simple word, hug, or encouraging prayer are missed by all who knew her. More than anything, Helen wanted others to experience the love, hope, and healing she had found in Jesus. Helen is survived by her three children, Peter, Kris, and Valerie; the father of her children, Eric; daughter-in-law Rachel; son-in-law Eric; granddaughters Ella and Cora; grandsons Antonio and Ezra; and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen is preceded in death by her parents Michael and Elise; mother-in-law Edith (née DeTree) Benyo; siblings Michael and Catherine; and son-in-law Steve. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the friends, medical professionals, caregivers, and prayer partners whose love, compassion, and faithful care blessed Helen throughout her journey. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to World Vision, Inc., in memory of Helen. www.worldvision.org