Helen M. Brace

STAR PRAIRIE, Wis. - Helen M. Brace, 85, of Bessemer, died peacefully on June 20, 2015, at her lake home in Star Prairie, Wis.

Helen was born on Aug. 7, 1929, to Winifred and Ernest Bakewell in Fort William, Ontario, Canada.

At 19 years old, Helen married her soulmate, Richard, and moved to the USA. Married for 65 years, she became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1976. Helen worked as a bookkeeper, fashion model, homemaker, dental assistant, in ski patrol, as a ski instructor and tour guide. At 60 years old, she started ski racing competitively, earning the most NASTAR national championships with nine firsts in gold and platinum divisions.

Blessed with many talents and interests, she could sew, crochet, paint, knit, garden, play harmonica, piano and bagpipes. For a time, she even played piano and organ for her church.

Helen is survived by husband, Richard; children, James (Jane), Robert, Thomas (Carole) and Julie (Johnney); five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and dozens of dear friends.

Contributions will be dedicated to a memorial park bench in remembrance of Helen.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held on Aug. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Star Prairie Community Center.