Sunsets, she especially loved sunsets; that time of day when everything seems to settle and becomes peaceful. Helen grew up on Eagle Lake, where her parents owned the Cabin Lane Resort. She loved it when the bright sun would begin to set and turn red. It’s that moment in time when the busy waves give way to calm and the water becomes nearly still except for the silver shimmer on the surface. She believed that there was a heavenly place beyond the sunset, or as a song she liked says, “west of
where the sun sets where rainbows never die”. Helen was a faithful daughter of God and she loved Jesus.
Helen was born in Burlington, WI January 21, 1946 to Harold and Eleanor Gitzlaff. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1964 and attended the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. It was there that she met her future husband, Paul. Helen and Paul were married at St.Charles Catholic Church in Burlington October 1, 1966. They were a complete match. They had one child, Nicole. Nicole was perfect for them.
After marriage Helen and Paul lived for one year in Freeport, IL. Paul’s job required that they move to Fond du Lac, WI where they lived and worked until August of 1973. In 1973 they moved to Green Bay, WI, a place that they loved, cherished and continued to call “home” for the rest of theirs lives. Helen was employed at Ft. Howard Paper for 23 years. Helen felt a strong need to volunteer her time and talents. She was dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and to Bellin Hospital. She had a strong need to “pay it forward”. At Bellin Health she recorded over 10,000 hours of volunteer work and was especially proud of having started their coffee shop. It started with a coffee cart and a modest budget and developed into something that was significant and that the hospital could be proud of. In 2008 Helen and Paul moved to Florence, AZ. It was there that they could be close to Nicole and her husband Justin and watch their grandchildren grow. Her passion was her grand childrens’ baseball and volleyball games. Although not too loud, Helen on some occasions disagreed with the authorities on whether her grandson’s pitch was a ball or strike or if her grand daughter’s serve was in or out. Helen was an active member of her community. Lots of golf, organizations, mahjong, cards, bocce ball and big and small gatherings with community friends and WI “snowbirds”. Still in the Valley of the Sun, Helen and Paul decided to downsize and moved to Apache Junction in 2021. Helen died January 30, 2023. Her beautiful heart could no longer support her life.
Helen is survived by her husband Paul, Apache Junction, daughter Nicole Lorgan, son in law Justin, grandson Samuel and grand daughter Jemma, Chandler, AZ. Her brother Herb (LouAnne) Gitzlaff, Racine WI,. Her sister Susan (William) Sherman, Thoma, WI. and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Elenor Gitzlaff, and two brothers, Harold Jr. and Edward and a special nephew, Charles (Chipper).
Helen was also a favorite of Paul’s side of the family. Her kindness and enthusiasm for getting everyone together for her mother in law’s birthdays and family reunions was treasured. Of the Hensen family Helen is survived by Phyllis Hensen, Campbellsport, WI; James St.Mary, Gleason, WI; Richard Hensen, Fond du Lac, WI, LouAnn (Mark) Benike, Campbellsport, WI and a great number of nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were Paul’s parents, Rolland and Sedonia; siblings David Hensen, Joyce St.Mary, Faye Thoma and an infant brother Peter; sister in law Barbara Hensen and brother in law Richard Thoma.
Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Helen may be shared with her family through her tribute page at MariposaGardens.com
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