Helen Blakeslee

Blakeslee - Helen I. Blakeslee (nee Miller) aged 94 of Kentwood passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert F. Blakeslee; daughter, Christine Blakeslee DuShane; many cats whom she loved; parents; brothers; brothers and sisters-in-law. Helen is survived by her children, Barbara and Robert Bishoff; Marcia and Michael Hadding; son-in-law Randy (Lori) DuShane; grandchildren, Brenda and Jason Denton; Russell and Eliza DuShane, Laura and Mike Marks, David Moore; great grandchildren, Haley, Easton, Emma, Kate, Quinton, Akaya, Hannah, Brysen; extended family, Glenna Hula, Virginia Blakeslee, Lorina and Stan Gregory; many nieces, nephews and their families; good friends, Sue Yerkes, Jean Chester, Larry Silvernail, Ken Phillips and many, many more friends from the Kentwood Baptist Church Family. Helen was born October 10, 1924 to William and Minnie Miller in Grand Rapids. She went to grade school in Burton Heights, then the family moved to Home Acres area, where she graduated from Kelloggsville High School Class of 1942. Helen met her husband, Gilbert Blakeslee when he was the paperboy during their high school years. When Gil returned from the Army they dated, fell in love and were married June 27, 1946. Together they raised 3 daughters, in the house they had built together. Her first job was a telephone operator for Michigan Bell; she worked for them for 12 years. She then stayed home to be with her daughters. Helen loved to read, help her daughters and the grandchildren, go to church, putter in her yard. Ice cream and cookies where some of her favorite snacks. Thank you to the kind and loving staff at American House - Kentwood for the good care, loving spirit and generous patience during the 5 years Helen lived with you. Faith Hospice was involved in the last 2 years of Helen’s life; providing much appreciated care; we want to Thank all of those who were involved in Helen’s hospice life, including the RN, Care Giver, Social Worker, Chaplin and Volunteer visitor. Your caring and thoughtfulness made her path to heaven a little easier. In lieu of flowers, please donate to cause of your choice; better yet, take your family out for Ice Cream. Funeral services will be held 4:00PM, Thursday, March 21 at Stegenga Funeral Chapel - Wyoming 3131 S. Division Ave., Wyoming. The family will greet relatives and friends from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Thursday. To share a photo, memory and to sign the online guestbook at www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Helen I. Blakeslee please visit our Sympathy Store.