Helen Atkinson

Helen Claire Atkinson, 85 of Duluth, died Monday, July 1, 2019 at the Franciscan Health Center, with her family by her side.  Helen was born March 22, 1934 in Duluth to Jacob and Cecelia Fosness.  She graduated from Duluth Central High School.  Helen met, James “Jim” Atkinson and they were married on Oct. 24, 1953 in Duluth.  She worked before marriage at the Coolerator Plant and after, she worked as a cashier at Loop Super Valu.  Helen also did the books for the family business, Jim’s Lester Park Skelly. She was a member of St. Michael’s Church and the Northwestern Gun Club Auxiliary.  Helen said, “I was put on this earth to take care of babies”, and she did.  She enjoyed anything to do with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and anyone else’s children.  She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim in 2010, her parents, Jacob and Cecelia; brothers, William, Ken and Al. Helen is survived by her children, Larry (Rita), Tom (Rita), Dan (Linda), Jean (David) Runquist, Mary (David) Hallsten  Mark, John and Jimmy (Jeanne). 23 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; Sister, Maureen McLachlan and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the amazing staff at the Franciscan Health Center who she" adopted".

Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Monday, 10am, at St. Michael’s Church, 4901 E Superior St. Duluth, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am.  Burial at Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Franciscan Health Center, 3910 Minnesota Ave., Duluth, MN, 55802.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2 ^nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.