Helen Francis Brandenburg's Obituary
MRS HELEN FRANCIS BRANDENBURG, age 94, died peacefully on Monday, February 14, 2011, in Grand Haven, Michigan. She lived most of her life in Chicago. Mrs. Brandenburg was a past president of Church Women United of the Rock River Conference, Illinois, a member of The Womens Board of Wesley Memorial Hospital (Northwestern), and an active member of Chicago United Methodist Temple. Helen had attended seminary classes and was a lay minister giving full-time pastors relief when they were away. She was very politically involved and was a huge advocate for women in politics having made friendships along the way with past presidents and first ladies. Mrs. Brandenburg was a dedicated Salvation Army volunteer and was instrumental in starting a women’s safe house in Chicago for battered and abused women. As past president of her local PTA she worked to raise the bar of education in the state of Illinois. She was the beloved Mother of Patricia (Howard) Camp of Muskegon, Vincent J. (SiewKie) Walsh of Chicago, IL, James Francis Walsh of Chicago, IL and Helen Personius of Venice, FL; and grandmother of James (Heidi) Camp, Jeffrey( Donna) Camp, Caroline (Michael)Gillis, Joanne (Kevin)Swiggett, Paula (Jason)Polka, Shyda (Grace) Gilmer, Ahesha Personius, Adair Personius, Jessica Anacker, Patrina Anacker and great-grandchildren, Molly Camp, Donald Camp, Leeann and Johnathan Swiggett, Duncan Gillis, Olivia Polka, Gabriel and Isabelle Gilmer, Atraeyu and Robin Personius. She was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Lola Walsh-Anacker., and husband, Walter Brandenburg. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at a later date in Chicago. Arrangements by The Walburn Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 231-759-8565.
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