Helen M. Boline

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Helen M. Boline, 94, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, died on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital. Helen was currently residing at the Hillcrest Apartments in Bessemer.

She was born on Aug. 22, 1921, in Ewen, the daughter of Christian Louis and Isabel (Townsend) Anderson. She attended Wakefield Schools, graduating in 1938 and then received an associate business degree from Gogebic Community College in 1939.

On April 1, 1944, Helen married Arthur William “Bill” Boline in Ontonagon. Bill preceded her in death on March 4, 1992. Helen and Bill owned Tri County Beverages for many years, but Helen’s real career was at Big Powderhorn Mountain. She was hired as the secretary to Louis Gheller, President and General Manager, and many said the two were a formidable team in the ski industry.

After Helen retired, her passion was to volunteer for many organizations around the Gogebic Range and her cherished Sharon Lutheran Church. She was on many Board of Directors and local charities. Regional Hospice was very close to Helen’s heart and she was involved in many aspects of their work. She also was always an avid follower of any Bessemer Speedboy or Speedgirl team and was at every Bessemer band concert until her health no longer permitted it.

Helen is survived by her children, Judy (Milo) Larson of Canby, Minn., Arthur (Barbara) Boline of Esko, Minn., and George (Ginny) Boline of Bessemer; daughter-in-law, Connie Boline of Rochester, Minn .; eight grandchildren, Jill (Kent) Vettrus of Hartford, S.D., Scott (Cherie) Larson of Forest Lake, Minn., Chris Boline of Maplewood, Minn., Kate Boline of Eden Prairie, Minn., Jamie (Brandon) Petermann of Glendale, Ariz., Brian Boline of Stamford, Conn., Eric (Missy) Boline of Rochester, Minn., and Stacey (Eric) Kosch of Hudson, Wis .; 10 great grandchildren, Noah and Haley Vettrus, Kinsey, Cooper and Chloe Larson, Jocelyn Petermann, Makayla and Amelia Boline, and Griffin and Isabel Kosch; two special nieces, Margaret Ann and Marcella Boline, of Bessemer. Helen also had many local children who always called her “Grandma Helen” and she loved them like they were her own.

Besides her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by her son, Charles (Butch) Boline; and brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Julie Anderson.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Monday, Sept. 28, with the memorial service to follow at 11 a.m., at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, with Pastor Kurt Kovanen presiding. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. A luncheon will be served following the service in the church hall.

Memorials can be given in Helen’s honor to Regional Hospice or Sharon Lutheran Church. Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer.