Helen Louise Hicks

She was born in La Crosse on September 17, 1923, to Joseph Benjamin and Bernice Theresa (Sutherland) Malay. She married Elton Hicks in 1941 in La Crosse and he preceded Helen in death on June 11, 2010.

Helen is survived by two sons, Terry (Mary) Hicks of La Crosse and Don Hicks of Onalaska; granddaughter, Amy (Brendon) McGovern, and grandson, Terry P. Hicks, both of La Crosse; and great grandchildren, Kaithlyn, Henry, and Isaac McGovern all of La Crosse. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Malay of Boston, Mass.; sister-in-laws, Ruth Malay of La Crosse, Marion Baker of Onalaska, Barbara Hicks of La Crosse, Julie Smith of Arizona, Sandy Ogden of Arizona, Alice Wheeler of Virginia, and Lucy Hicks of California; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty (Malay) Graf, and her husband, Ray Graf; and a brother, Bob Malay.

Helen was a graduate of Aquinas High School and a Northside La Crosse resident during the first twenty years of her life. She worked at the Rubber Mills and at K-Mart for several years. For six decades, she participated in craft-work and collectibles and was a regular at local and regional craft and hobby shows, often accompanied by Mary and Amy or her son, Terry. Helen shared her passion for genealogy with her son, Terry, and spent many hours searching for information on her Irish and Scottish ancestors. Cats were a source of pleasure for her; she always shared her home with one or two, during her entire married life.

Helen enjoyed a life-long connection with her daughter-in-law, Mary, whom she considered the daughter she never had. They spent countless hours visiting on the phone and in person. During the last years of her life, Helen was cared for by Terry and Mary in their home until she needed 24-hour nursing care and became a resident of Hillview Health Care Center.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at Woodlawn North Cemetery in La Crosse. Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate.