Helena Elizabeth Rikke

Helena Rikke (97) died on June 11, 2024 surrounded by family. She was born February 21, 1927 to Lawrence and Kathryn (Keane) Logan in Indianapolis, Indiana. Helena attended Holy Cross Elementary School and Tech High School in Indianapolis.

Helena’s long and illustrious career included working at the American Legion, Little Flower Elementary School Cafeteria, Naval Avionics Cafeteria, Sherwood Country Club, The Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office and The Family and Social Services Administration of the State of Indiana. Helena enjoyed working and met many wonderful friends with whom she enjoyed visiting and hearing about their lives, family and accomplishments. She truly enjoyed being around people. She worked for the State of Indiana for over forty-three years retiring at the age of 95. Upon her retirement on April 4, 2022, Helena was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb.

Anyone who knew Helena was aware of her strong Catholic Faith. She was a member of Holy Cross Parish as a child and St. Theresa of the Little Flower Parish as an adult. Her faith was evident by the way she treated people. She was always happy to see people and it was more important for her to talk about them and how they were doing than to talk about herself. She loved to spend time with people and always looked for the good in everyone. To her each person was important and she treated everyone with respect.

Helena worked hard but she also prioritized time for fun and adventure. If you asked Helena to go on an excursion whether it be a car ride or a trip to another state or country, she was ready to go. She loved to travel and one of her favorite trips was to watch the ordination of Fr. Bob Gilday and Fr. Jim Farrell in Rome by new Saint Pope Paul VI. She cherished all of life’s experiences whether sitting in her living room talking with family and friends, playing cards, visiting family and friends or traveling, she had fun. How many 90-year-olds do you know who have ridden Space Mountain at Disney World? She lived a very fulfilling life.

She spent many hours playing games and cards with friends and family. She belonged to a bridge club that started in the 1940’s and was disbanded in 2012 when there were no longer four players for a game. She was an avid bridge player, enjoyed Euchre, Up and Down the River, Hearts, Tripoly, Five Crowns, UNO, 500, etc. There were countless Friday nights spent playing raucous games of cards with family and friends.

The greatest joy of Helena’s life was her family. She was always there to celebrate the happy occasions and provide support during challenging times. Helena is survived by her children, Joan Williams of Fishers, Indiana, David Rikke of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jim (Janet) Rikke of New Palestine, Indiana, Cecilia (Jim) Fohl of Indianapolis, Indiana, Julie (Brian) Rozema of New Palestine, Indiana and Beth Rikke of Indianapolis, Indiana. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Greg (Stephanie) Williams and sons Aidan and Connor, Laura (Bram Tucker) Williams; Jessica (Ben) Golab, Jenna (Spencer Fears) Rikke; Alex Fohl, Zach (Megan) Fohl and daughters Lilyana, Raelynd and Finley; Max Rozema and Jeremiah (Makenna Sturgeon) Rozema.

Helena was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence "Larry" Logan, and sisters, Cecilia Logan and Theresa Ann Rueff.

A visitation for Helena will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. Entombment follows at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helena Rikke’s name to Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201-1704.