SR0027 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0027 LRB097 06576 GRL 46661 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Helen Efinger Helgren of Gurnee, who passed away on January 8, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren was born on September 25, 1924, in Waukegan; her parents were Raymond "Doc" and Kathleen (O'Brien) Efinger; she married her loving husband, Preston Helgren, on April 11, 1953; she lived in the Waukegan area all her life; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren attended Immaculate Conception and Holy Family Grade Schools, as well as Lake Forest High School; she graduated from Holy Child High School at the age of 17; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren attended the College of St. Theresa in Winona, Minnesota for one year; she subsequently earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry at Marquette University in 1950; she also earned a teaching certificate; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren worked at many organizations throughout her life; during college, she worked in the Disbursing Office at the Great Lakes Naval Base and in the analytical laboratory at Fansteel Metallurgical; after graduation, she began working at Abbott Laboratories, where she dreamed of working as a chemist; she worked as a long-time substitute teacher at Gurnee Grade School, Viking Junior High, and Warren Township High School; she also had her own business making flower arrangements and other designs; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren was a faithful member of the St. Dismas Church in Waukegan, the League of Women Voters, the Immaculate Conception (Waukegan) Altar and Rosary Society, the Lake County Governmental Study Commission, the Waukegan Garden Club (Douglas Chapter), the Ex Libris Book Club, the Herb Society, the 4H Youth Council, and the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren and her husband were long-time faithful volunteers at the Lake County Museum and were instrumental in the museum's collection being transferred intact from private ownership to the people of Lake County; she worked tirelessly to bring a new library to Waukegan and to preserve the ravine known as Warbler Glen in Bowen Park; she was a member and volunteer at the American Cancer Society; she was a member and leader of numerous conservation projects in Lake County; she also had a long time interest in prairies, natural areas, and their conservation, leading her to do research on prairie seed germination methods for the Lake County Forest Preserve District; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren was well known among her peers as an excellent seamstress; she also enjoyed painting watercolors, and she was a Master Gardener; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Catherine Dietmeyer, Rita Hyland, and Mary June Fizgerald; her sister-in-law, Mary Helgren Johnson; and her treasured niece, Susan Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Helen Helgren is survived by her husband; her son, Dan (Lizzy) Helgren; her step-grandchildren, Zachary, Noah, and Madeline Rose; her daughter, Mary Catherine Helgren (Richard Radek); her many nieces and nephews; and her many grand-nieces and grand-nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Helen Efinger Helgren; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Helen Helgren as an expression of our sympathy.