Helen Anna DeFelice

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Helen Anna (nee Savonen) DeFelice, 92, of Ironwood, passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

Helen was born on Nov. 21, 1929, in Ironwood Township, the daughter of Onni E. and Ida Mary (Sillampaa) Savonen. She attended Roosevelt Junior High School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1948.

On Sept. 2, 1950, Helen was united in marriage to Armand DeFelice in Ironwood.

For many years, she and her husband owned and operated D & B Freight Sales in downtown Ironwood.

Helen was a dedicated member of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the Ironwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1823.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Diana "Dee Dee" (Jim) Lorenson, Ironwood, and Amanda (Pete) Nickel, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; seven cherished grandchildren, Michael (Margo) Holm, Jaimie Arias (Mark Westhoff), April Lynott, Peter "PJ" Nickel, Emily Nickel, Artem Lorenson and Timothy Lorenson; eight precious great-grandchildren, Ella, Natalie, Leandro, Ashley, Lexi, Guillermo, Logan and Mia; many dear nieces and nephews; and a very special family friend, Jim Jenkins.

She was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Armand, in 1990; a daughter, Bonnie Lee DeFelice, in 2009; a son, Eugene Thomas "Geno" DeFelice, on March 28, 2022; and three brothers, Wilbert "Willy" Savonen, Toivo "Toykes" Savonen and Elmer Savonen.

At the family's request, cremation has taken place.

A private service will be held at a later date with Chaplain Matt Agee officiating.

Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley, Wisconsin, for their support and devoted care to Helen while she was a resident there. They would also like to acknowledge Regional Hospice Services during this difficult time.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with their arrangements. To send online condolences please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.