Helga M. Olson Kardoskee 

contributor: 

Oconto County Times-Herald 
Wednesday, April 4, 2001  

OCONTO FALLS – Helga M. "Babe" (Mrs. Albert R. "Bob" Sr.) Kardoskee, 79, 343 Quincy St., died suddenly Thursday morning, March 29, 2001, which was her 55th wedding anniversary, at a Green Bay hospital. Helga had been diagnosed with leukemia just two days before her death. She was born March 8, 1922, in Gillett to Helmer and Hilda (Nelson) Olson. She grew up in Mountain where she attended schools, graduating from Mountain High School with the class of 1940. Following graduation she moved to Chicago, where she worked as a bookkeeper for Sears and Montgomery Wards stores.

On March 29, 1946 Helga married Albert R. "Bob" Kardoskee Sr. (Oconto Falls) in Green Bay. Following their marriage they lived in Green Bay while Bob attended St. Norbert College. After gaining his Bachelor's degree Bob was called back into the Air Force (he had served in World War II and had been at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese "sneak" attach December 7, 1941).

Becoming a military family the couple lived in Denver, Colorado, Dayton, Ohio, St. John's, Newfoundland, St. Louis, Mo; and Washington D.C. before moving to Oconto Falls at the conclusion of Bob's military career in 1965. Bob officially retired with the rank of Major joining his family in 1966.

Helga and Bob went to work for Shellman Publishing in Oconto Falls in 1967, Helga as a proof reader and eventually bookkeeper. Even though she retired in 1986, she continued to "help out" at the publishing company. She enjoyed making her famous Texas sheet cake for coffee break treats and "special pistachio torte" for Bob Shellman's birthdays. She also made treats for Utility/City employees.

Helga was a 34-year member of Oconto Falls American Legion Auxiliary Unit 302. Last year when she was laid up after foot surgery she sewed hundreds of buttons on a vest for Loretta Shellman who, as state ALA President, had a fund raiser for fighting breast cancer and each button represented a donation from members all over the state. Helga was always there when someone needed a special favor.

She also volunteered her time and talents for numerous charitable causes in the area including the special thermo-imaging camera for the Oconto Falls Fire Department.

Helga lived and worked with her youngest son, Jim, in his business, Kardoskee Construction, and was still very active. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. She was an avid bingo player, a wonderful cook and someone who just enjoyed being with other people.

Helga was also known in the area as a prognosticator of the number of snowfalls the area was to receive each winter, with remarkable accuracy. She would have enjoyed the irony that it would snow on the days of her wake and funeral after her count had indicated zero snowfalls left.

Survivors are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bob and Cindy Kardoskee, Green Bay; Jim Kardoskee, Oconto Falls; two sisters, Vi (Sid) Barnett, Granada Hills, Calif., Lorry (Ray) Schwartz, Williamston, Mich., many nieces and nephews, and many friends who considered her "family".

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Albert "Bob" on July 22, 1970 and two sisters, Anne Pung and Isabel Olson.

The funeral was held Monday, April 2 at her church with the Rev. Matthew Arnold officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls.

Pallbearers were Falton and Wally Fischer, Roger and Bob Shellman, Wayne Bohl, Bruce Jensen, Ken Topping and Mike Koplin.

Arrangements under the very special care of Jones Funeral Service, Oconto Falls


Oconto County Reporter 
Wednesday, April 4, 2001  

Helga M. (Mrs. Albert R. 'Bob' Sr.) Kardoskee, 79, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Thursday morning, March 29, 2001, which was her 55th wedding anniversary, at a Green Bay hospital. Helga had been diagnosed with leukemia just two days before her death.

She was born March 8, 1922 in Gillett to Helmer and Hilda Nelson Olson. She grew up in Mountain where she attended schools, graduating from Mountain High School with the class of 1940. Following graduation she moved to Chicago where she worked as a bookkeeper for Sears and Montgomery Wards stores. On March 29, 1946 she married Albert R. 'Bob' Kardoskee in Green Bay. Following their marriage the couple lived in Green Bay for a short time before moving to Denver, Colorado. Because of her husband's military career, the couple lived in Colorado; Dayton, Ohio; St. John's, Newfoundland; St. Louis, Missouri; and Washington, D.C. before moving to Oconto Falls in 1965. Helga went to work for Shellman Publishing in Oconto Falls in 1967 as a proof reader and eventually bookkeeper. Even though she retired in 1986, she continued to 'help out' at the publishing company. Helga also lived and worked with her youngest son, Jim, in his business, Kardoskee Construction, and was still very active. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. She was an avid bingo player, a wonderful cook, and someone who just enjoyed being with other people. Helga was also known in the area as a prognosticator of the number of snowfalls the area was to receive each winter, with remarkable accuracy. She also volunteered her time and talents for numerous charitable causes in the area.

Survivors are two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bob and Cindy Kardoskee, Green Bay; Jim Kardoskee, Oconto Falls; two sisters Vi Sid Barnett, Granada Hills, CA; Lorry Ray Schwartz, Williamston, MI; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert 'Bob' on July 20, 1970 and two sisters, Anne Pung and Isabelle Olson. Friends called at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls on Sunday. Funeral service was held 11 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls, with the Rev. Matthew Arnold officiating. Burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls.


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