Isidore "Ike" J. Helsen's Obituary
Mr. Isidore “Ike†J. Helsen, age 86 of Ravenna, passed away peacefully Friday, September 25, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Ike was born on July 16, 1923 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to the late Alfonse and Louise (Van Dunn) Helsen, Belgian immigrants. He married Dorothy Mansfield on October 6, 1948. Ike, a retired dairy farmer, was a lifelong member of St. Catherine’s Parish in Ravenna, a World War II veteran, and a 61 year member of the Ravenna American Legion, Sherman Moore Post 297.
Ike is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Dorothy; children Michael (Laurie) Helsen, Steven Helsen, Randolph (Barb) Helsen, Debra (Bruce) Braspenninx, Mary (Ken) Patterson, Jean (Gary) Smoes, Mark (Julie) Helsen, Ruth (Adam) Pyman, Paul (Ann) Helsen, and Gregory (Karen) Helsen; brothers Joseph (Helen) Helsen and Eugene (Margaret) Helsen; sisters Katherine Morgan, Bernadine (Vincent) Klein, and Josephine (James) Piccard; brother-in-law, Arthur Klein; sister-in-law Marilyn (Monte) O’Brien; 25 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Ike was preceded in death in addition to his parents by his sisters Marie Stuhan, Margaret Helsen, and Elizabeth Klein; brothers-in-law Thomas Morgan, John Stuhan, and Dalmer Klein; grandson Brian Braspenninx; and granddaughter-in-law Victoria Walter Patterson.
Visitation for Ike will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:30pm at St. Catherine’s Hall in Ravenna. The rosary will be prayed at 4:30pm.
Mass from the order of Christian Funerals will be celebrated on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:00am at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church with Father Ernest Bernott celebrant. The family will be present one hour prior to mass to receive friends. Burial will follow at St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the St. Catherine Endowment Fund, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or the Ravenna American Legion.
The Throop Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements 231-853-6511.
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