Helen was born on January 1, 1925, in St. Luke's Hospital, to Herman and Ellen Marie Carlson. She grew up in Duluth, was a 1943 graduate of Duluth Central High School and married the late Charles Richard Ness on August 31, 1946. They were long-time residents of Duluth and made their home on the Central Hill Side raising three children.
Helen was a Librarian for many years at the Duluth Library and a long-time member of First Lutheran Church. She was also an avid hockey fan and supported the UMD Bulldogs for over 50 years. She was a member of the women's Skyline Bowling Stardust League and achieved a recorded best score of 192. Helen also enjoyed golf and was active in the Pike Lake women's league and roller skating at the Duluth Curling Club.
Helen was the matriarch of her family and enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren grow and begin their own families and carry out their busy lives. She loved spending time and sharing stories with family whenever she had an opportunity; her love and laughter were infectious.
Helen was preceded in death by her loving parents, her beloved husband, dear daughter, Judith Ellen, and other cherished family members and friends.
She will be greatly missed by her two surviving children, Chuck (Jane) Ness and Sharon (Jeff) Cullen; six grandchildren, Bradley (Pam) Johnson, Christopher (Karen) Johnson, Angela (Matt) Mackenzie, Eric (Nicole) Ness, Kathryn (Brent) Hascall, and Andrew (Beca) Cullen; and ten great-grandchildren, Kelsey Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Mason Johnson, Lilliana Johnson, Bryson MacKenzie, Tyler MacKenzie, Ian Ness, Lauren Ness, Ethan Hascall and Cameron Hascall.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota on Thursday, June 16. Fellowship will commence at 12:30, service at 1:00 with a light luncheon to follow. Internment at Park Hill Cemetery at 3:30.
The family sincerely requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Kindred Hospice, 404 West Superior Street, Suite 290, Duluth, Minnesota 55802.