Helen L. Harris

Helen L. Harris Age 87 Iron River, MI Passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at her home, surrounded by members of her family. She was born October 17, 1924 in Gaastra, daughter of the late Charles and Lena (Johnson) Mickleson. She attended the Stambaugh schools, graduating as Valedictorian of her class in 1943. Helen married the late William ""Bill"" Harris on December 2, 1944 in Stambaugh and the couple were lifelong residents, making their home in Mineral Hills. They had their Golden Wedding Anniversary party in 1994, and celebrated their 66th anniversary in 2010 at their home. They had a beautiful marriage and spent most of their times together. Helen was employed for many years as a bookkeeper/accountant and was a no nonsense, hard worker on and off the job. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Iron River. She enjoyed bird watching, camping with her husband and family at Lake Superior in the Keweenaw, picking agates, fishing, and just being in the outdoors. Helen and her husband had 17 dogs and many cats through the years, and she enjoyed the times at the nursing home in the last few years when her dog Buffy came to visit with her. She was an avid animal lover. She especially enjoyed her times visiting with her granddaughter and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill (August 2011), brother Carl Mickleson, sister, Elsie Larson, and sister Ruth Mareno. She is survived by her son, James (Judy) Harris of Iron River; sister, Dorothy (Bill) Bruce of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, two grandchildren, Cindy (David) and Bill (Lindsay); seven great-grandchildren, Gabe, Tori, Isabelle, Samuel (Harris-Hoogenboom) and Lily, Kennison, and Owen (Harris-Fitch). Visitation: Thursday September 27, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, Iron River. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist church of Iron River, Rev. Roberta Willson to officiate. Interment will be held at Resthaven Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations to the Northwoods Animal Shelter. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Helen L. Harris online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen L. Harris, please visit our flower store.