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Obituary for Helen J. Clarkson
Helen J. Clarkson, 86, resident of the United Pioneer Home in Luck, previously of Balsam Lake, WI died peacefully Friday, March 19, 2010 at St. Croix Regional Medical Center in St. Croix Falls, WI.
Helen was born on November 24, 1923 to William and Tressa Prochaska in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur; children, Sandra (Ronald) LaMour, Stephanie (Ronald) Ward, Ardia (Roy) Neves, and Kimberly (John) Bonifas; 10 grandchildren, Steven LaMour, Jeffrey (Chris) LaMour, Kyle (Dawn) Ward, Kimberly Ward, Krista (Louis) Karnezis, Peter (Michelle) Ward, John (Gina) Gisel, Jason (Stacy) Gisel, Christopher (Jessica) Bonifas, and Nicole Bonifas; and 18 great grandchildren.
Helen and Art, her husband of 66 years, lived in East Dubuque, Ill for most of their lives until moving to the Balsam Lake, WI area about 10 years ago. Most recently they have been residents of the United Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck, WI.
Helen was a woman ahead of her time in that she filled, at the time, a man’s position for the Corps of Engineers in Biloxi, MS during WW II. She later worked as a draftsman at Bartels and McMahon Engineering firm off and on during the years she lived in East Dubuque. She also liked to go by Helen P. Clarkson, the ‘P’ standing for her maiden name of Prochaska.
Helen and Art spent over fifty summer vacations at the Ward’s Balsam Beach Resort and to everyone who met her she was immediately known as ‘Grandma’. She was everyone’s adopted ‘Grandma Helen’.
Grandma Helen had a bucket list before it became fashionable…visit Paris, check…visit the Grand Canyon, check…catch a bass, check…go water skiing, check…she was always game to try anything. She was also a passionate knitter from baby sweaters, to hunting mitts and golf club covers.
She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother who was loved and admired by all who met her. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial services for Helen will be held at the Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, WI on Sunday, March 21st at 3:00 p.m. Time for visiting with the family will begin at 2:00 p.m. and continue up until the time of service. Rev. Norman Belland will be officiating and music will be provided by organist, Margie Nelson.
As information is updated it can be found on the following websites: www.rowefh.com and www.wicremationcenter.com or call 715-472-2444.
Rowe Funeral Home of Luck and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, WI have been entrusted with arrangements.
