Helen E. Perry

Helen was born Jan. 18, 1928, in Crystal Falls, daughter of the late John Eckola and Emil and Saima (Korkiamaki) Eckola Rosenlof. She graduated from Crystal Falls High School in 1945 and married Raymond “Ray” Perry on Jan. 9, 1954, in Crystal Falls; they shared 59 years together before his passing in 2013. She was a lifelong resident of the area.

She was the secretary at United Lutheran Church for 10 years, bookkeeper at local area businesses, and after raising her family she was Crystal Falls Township Clerk for over 10 years. She was a founding member of the Forest Park Band Booster Club and was instrumental in raising funds to purchase new band uniforms. Helen volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul and enjoyed sewing, gardening and crocheting. She was an active member of the United Lutheran Church.

Helen is survived by her five children, Tom (Tonya) Perry of Ishpeming, Susan Sullenger of Marquette, Henry (Roxann) Perry of Crystal Falls, Jean Thoreson of Indiana, and Christine Perry of Crystal Falls; 11 grandchildren, Jake Perry and Meg Holeva, Melissa Robertson and Katherine Sullenger, Kelsey Everts and Haley Rowe, Jenn Gustafson, Joanna Bays, and Jamie Krueger, Emily Hendricks and Patrick Hendricks; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Patt Alft; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Justin Perry, son-in-law, Ronald Sullenger; a brother and sister-in-law, Wilfred “Bud” (Karen) Eckola; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol (Ronald) Johnson; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol (Bill) Premo.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at the United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls. A memorial service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Pastor DJ Rasner will officiate. A luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iron County Cancer Unit or Locker Lunches, Inc.

Helen’s family would like to thank the staff at Iron County Medical Care Facility for their loving care while she was a resident there, and Dr. Donald Smith for the years he cared for her.

Condolences to the family of Helen Perry may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.

The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services with the arrangements.