Helen Florence Wickman

Helen was born June 1, 1924, in Nashwauk, Minn., daughter of the late Toivo and Hilda (Rytioja) Hamari.

A lifelong resident of Kingsford, she attended Kingsford High School.

On Oct. 16, 1944, she married Rueben W. Wickman in Iron Mountain. He preceded her in death on March 26, 1978. Helen attended Maranatha Assembly of God Church in Kingsford. She was a born again Christian from an early age and had a tremendous faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Immediately after high school, Helen began full time employment to help support her ailing father, her mother and her younger siblings.

In 1941 she temporarily moved to Detroit for employment at several different workplaces, including as a riveter at Briggs Manufacturing Company, assembling military aircraft for the United States WWII war effort.

Later, she moved back to Kingsford and married Rueben. While raising a family she became employed at several different local manufacturers, including General Controls, the Sewing Factory in Iron Mountain, and in 1984 she retired from full time employment at Hancock Wood Products to begin various babysitting jobs.

She enjoyed traveling with her dear sister-in-law, Myrtle Branstrom, and she loved everyone, especially children and family members.

Helen is survived by her three sons, Rodney (Joan) Wickman of Felch, John (Jodi) Wickman of Breitung Township, and Darryl (Molly) Wickman of Kingsford; a daughter, Corrine (Jim) Thomson of Lena, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Cescolini, Mary (Rob) Skog, Justin (Kyllie) Wickman, Josh (Courtnee) Wickman, Lindsey Wickman, Jenna (Mfo) Langeni; Teri Jo (Jeff) Talaska, Beau (Lesley) Thomson and Tara (Eric) Sellen; many great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Hamari of Kingsford; sister-in-law, Garon Hamari of Iron Mountain; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Hilka Bartolameolli and Lila Makela; four brothers, Reuben Hamari, Allen Hamari, Roy Hamari and Duane Hamari; two grandsons, Keith Wickman and William (Billy) Smith; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Wickman; and a granddaughter, Kelley Thomson.

A graveside service for family members will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Quinnesec Cemetery, with Pastor Dave Wilton officiating.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Helen Wickman online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with funeral arrangements.