The former Helen Elizabeth Ragen was born April 14, 1911 in the Town of Oconto to the late William and Florence (Laduron) Ragen. She married Frank (Bunny) Bourassa June 14, 1927 at St. Peter Church, Oconto. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1990. Helen had been a sewing machine operator for many years at Great Lakes Shoe Co. and Cruise Tops. She loved working in her garden and canning. Helen was a member of Holy Trinity Perish.
Survivors include four daughters, Elaine Beekman, Milwaukee; Norine (Bob) Walters, Lt. Suamico; Janice (Ron) Ziemer, St. Francis; Doris (Pug) and Ron Filter, Oconto; five sons, Kenneth (Rosane), West Allis; Melvin (Marge), Menomonee Falls; Harold (Jean), Escanaba, MI; Merle (Helen), Wild Rose, WI; Duane (Sharon), Lt. Suamico; a son-in-law, Bob Earley, Lena; a sister, Dorothy (Lee) Rymer, Oshkosh; a sister-in-law, Patty Huisman, Oconto; 32 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Carmen Earley; brother and sister-in-law, William (Marge) Ragen, Waukesha; a grandson, Michael Beekman; two sons-in-law, Bernard Ahnen and Earl Beekman.
Friends called at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto. A prayer service was held. Mass of Christian Burial was 2 p.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Perish, St. Joseph Site with Rev. David C. Ruby officiating. Burial at Oconto Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Holy Trinity Church Building Fund.