×

Alice J. Helwig

Alice Helwig

MARQUETTE, MI – Alice Joan Helwig, of Marquette, entered eternal life Thursday morning, February 23, 2017, in the loving, comforting care of her daughter and UP Home Health and Hospice.

Born in Calumet, a daughter of Werner and Ann (Bjerk) Isola, Alice was raised in Calumet and graduated with honors from Calumet High School. She moved to Detroit to find work and it was there that she met her future husband. Following their marriage, the couple made their first home in Detroit where they began raising a family. Alice had a great love of the Upper Peninsula, especially Lake Superior, and the family later relocated to Marquette where Alice was employed as a secretary with various offices at Northern Michigan University, Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, and Community Mental Health. In the 1970’s, Alice moved to Denver, Colorado and was employed as a legal secretary for ten years before the lure of the UP and Lake Superior brought her back to Marquette following retirement. Even in retirement, she kept busy with part time employment at Pathways. Alice was a people person and possessed a youthful heart, spunk, and outlook. Her Marquette home was Victorian in style and she especially enjoyed caring for it and the Victorian flower gardens she tended in her backyard. She could often be found sitting on her porch steps conversing with all sorts of folks…..young children, teenagers, adults, and the older generation. She loved being with them and they, in turn, found someone genuinely interested in their lives as well. Alice loved to craft and often used her garden flowers to make dried wreaths, swags, and other decorations which she either sold or gave to friends. Painting bird houses was another leisure activity. A lover of animals, Alice had a special fondness for Yorkies and throughout the years had the companionship of Toby, Daisy, and Lily. Alice was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Alice is survived by her daughter, Laurel Helwig of Marquette; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Mark R. Helwig in 2012; her siblings, Shirley (the late James) Keir, Maxine (the late Al) Schillinger, Werner (the late Peg) Isola, and Alan Isola.

Friends may call at Messiah Lutheran Church on Tuesday, February 28, beginning at 12:00 noon until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Rev. Amanda Kossow will officiate.

Memorials may be directed to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter) P.O. Box 968, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Mill Creek Activity Fund, 1600 Mill Creek Court, Marquette, MI 49855.

Laurel would like to express her sincere appreciation to the staff and residents of Mill Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care for the wonderful, compassionate care her mother received and the many kindnesses extended to her.

The is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderfuneralhome .com.