Helen Marie Burkee

Helen Marie Burkee was born December 24, 1921, in Brandon, Minnesota to Axel and Alice Burkee. At a young age the family moved to Badger, Minnesota where her father and mother farmed.  Helen graduated from Badger High School in 1939 and during her senior year the lowest mark she had was an A-. 

After completing high school she attended college in Bemidji and received her teaching degree. She taught at Henderson and Oklee, Minnesota. She came home from teaching for the summer and was asked to be the financial secretary of Roseau County Coop Assn. She accepted the position for only the summer, and close to 40 years later she retired from the position.

Helen was very active in her school, and community. She was confirmed at Our Redeemer’s church in Badger, where she sang in the choir, served in the Ladies Aid and was financial secretary of the church for many years. Although never married, her nephews, niece and their families were her children. She enjoyed reading, doing cross word puzzles, needlework and gardening, and in her younger years she made embroidered pillow cases and dresser scarves, as well as crocheted pot holders for her family. 

In 2007 she went to live at the Life Care Manor nursing home in Roseau until her death January 29, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mrs. Lloyd (Camilla) Hauger, her brother in-law Lloyd Hauger, and twin baby brothers.

Helen Burkee passed away on Sunday, January 29 at LifeCare Manor in Roseau.  She was 90 years old.

Surviving are her nephews L.Carlton (Skip Hauger, wife Louise) Curt Hauger (wife Diann), David Hauger (wife Kim) and niece Cheryl Reaves (husband Dave).  She is also survived by her numerous great nephews and nieces.

Funeral Services for Helen Marie Burkee of Badger will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Badger at 2:00 p.m.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.