Obituary: Helena E. Virlee

September 20, 1920 ~ December 21, 2022

Helena E. Virlee, age 102, passed away at her home in Aurora, CO on December 21, 2022.

She was born on September 20, 1920 to Walter and Emma (Kugler) Beard in a log home on a small farm (now known as the Kurtz Coral) in Jacksonport, WI. After graduating asValedictorian from Sevastopol High School in 1938, Helena attended business school in Green Bay. She held a position as a court reporter as well as several other office jobs before she married Norbert Virlee on September 7, 1942. They moved to Milwaukee in 1955 for Norbert’s job but returned to their beloved Door County when he retired in 1976. Helena and Norbert celebrated almost 70 years of marriage before he passed away on August 21, 2012.

Helena and Norbert loved to travel, enjoying several trips to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and many other states in the U.S., including spending most of their retirement winters in Paisley, FL, and returning to Door County each spring.

Helena was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was proud of her family and especially enjoyed time spent together.

Helena is survived by her four daughters, Vicki (Dale) Ziarek, Mary (Gary) Hansen, Kathy Stein, Helen Dickens (Alan Molk); one son, Bob (Renee) Virlee; six grandchildren, Nicole Davidson, Stephanie Dickens, Dustin (Devan) Stein, Brad Dickens, Matt (Tori) Virlee, Mitch (Hope) Virlee; three great-grandchildren, Elena Virlee, Jay and Darian Davidson; three step-grandchildren, Desiree Mueller, Gabe Stein and Sarah Molk; one great-step-grandchild, Anniya Davidson; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Norbert; her parents Walter and Emma; her sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Milton Staats; niece Sue Mullin; nephew, Steve and his wife Josetta Staats and great nephew, Nick Staats.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of life will be held at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

Memorials may be given in her memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 110 N 5th Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.