Bill Text: IL SR0027 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Helen Efinger Helgren of Gurnee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-02-10 - Resolution Adopted [SR0027 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-SR0027-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.