Helen Louise (Harper) Ammer, age 60 of Carmichael, California, passed away Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at her home in Carmichael following a short illness. Helen was born on May 18, 1958 in Fremont, MI to Harry W. and Helen Jannette (Bitson) Harper and graduated from White Cloud High School in 1976. After graduation, Helen attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. She moved to Carmichael in 1979 to work in the golf industry, she was employed for many years at Ancil Hoffman Golf Course where she met her husband. Helen married Bruce Ammer on November 1, 1997 in Carmichael. Helen was extremely proud of her husband's service to his country in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Helen was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, sharing a special bond with her mother who is also a member. Helen became a passionate advocate for ALS patients and families after losing her beloved father to the disease. She worked tirelessly with legislative committees in California to help get benefits for veterans with ALS. Helen collaborated with researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago who study the ALS familial connections of interest to their research, including her own family. And Helen traveled to Washington D.C. with California cousins, also affected by ALS, to advocate for funding for research and patient support. In her spare time, Helen enjoyed gardening, sewing and crafting, cooking for happy gatherings. Helen had a gift for rescuing animals, saving the lives of birds, kittens, and dogs who needed her compassion. Her greatest joy was spending time and communicating with her beloved family, friends, and neighbors of her community where she served as HOA president for 25 years. Helen was a lioness, a "mama", who lived and loved fiercely and with great passion, she brightened the lives of all who loved her. Helen is survived by her husband, Bruce Ammer of Carmichael, California; her mother, Helen Jannette Harper of White Cloud; brothers and sister, Harold (Rachael) Harper of Grand Haven, Michigan; Kris (Tom) Jordan of Parchment, Michigan; Eric Harper of White Cloud, Michigan; sister-in-law, Peggy Harper of White Cloud, Michigan; aunts and uncle, Leonard and Nancy Harper of White Cloud, Michigan, Marjory Bitson, of Boca Raton, Florida; step son Daniel (Stacy) Ammer; step granddaughters, Astrid and Anya Ammer; nieces and nephews, Jon and Melissa Harper, Nathaniel and Erin Harper, Maria and Laurel Jordan, Genevieve Harrison and Cassandra Harper, and Zack Machiele; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Harper; her brothers, Hugh Harper and Neil Harper, and sister Rebecca (Harper) Machiele. Memorial graveside services will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 1pm at the Big Prairie Everett Township Cemetery with reception to follow at the home of Peggy Harper. Friends may consider memorial contributions in memory of Helen for ALS Research at Northwestern University in Chicago (lesturnerals.org), Susan Mast Foundation in Grand Rapids, MI, or ALS Guardian Angels in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Graveside Service Big Prairie Everett Township Cemetery Sunday, July 8, 2018 1:00 PM 2000 S Pine White Cloud, MI 49349