Cecilia Kowalewska Helgesen

Helgesen Cecilia Kowalewska Helgesen, born in Winona, Minnesota on November 20, 1903, died Monday, January 21st, at age 98. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Francis X. Helgesen; her parents, Anastasia and Joseph Kowalewski; six brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Helgesen graduated from Winona State Teachers College in 1923. She starred in several plays in Winona, including ``Peg O' My Heart'' and ``Polly of the Circus.'' In 1927, she joined the staff of the Northeast Neighborhood House. She moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1931 to work at Dane County Social Services. In 1933 she married Francis X. Helgesen of Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Helgesen returned to Minneapolis where Mrs. Helgesen became a social worker at the Minneapolis Child and Welfare Service. In 1943 she quit work to become a full-time mother and housewife. She was the first president of the Polanie Club of Minneapolis and active in the League of Women Voters. She co-authored `Treasured Polish Recipes for Americans' and `Treasured Polish Christmas Customs and Traditions.' Mrs. Helgesen is survived by children, Barbara Helgesen Schliep, Rochester, MN, Stephanie Helgesen, Minneapolis, and Timothy Helgesen, Silver Bay, MN; grandchildren, Kristin Schliep Welch, Monica Schliep, Karen Schliep McEwan, Cecily E. Helgesen, Frank, Mathew & Erik Helgesen; great-grandchildren, Monica Ruth McEwan, Alison and Eric Welch. There will be a memorial Mass at St. Olaf's Catholic Church, 215 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, at 10:00 am Saturday, February 23rd. Visitation with the family immediately preceding at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. She held that charm was a virtue. She was adorable and unique; she is missed.

Published on January 23, 2002