Helen Thompson

Helen E. Thompson, age 102 of Niles, Michigan died on Friday, June 27, 2014 at West Woods of Niles following a brief illness. She was born October 21, 1911 in Lisbon, North Dakota to John and Christina (Linzbach) Hardebeck.

Helen was a member of Saint Mark Church in Niles and was active in its Christian Mothers. She worked J.C. Penny’s in Niles and volunteered many hours at the former Pawating Hospital in Niles. She retired from the Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles in 1976 after several years of employment. Helen enjoyed playing cards, dominos, Bingo and watching her Chicago Bulls and Cubs teams. She especially loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and never missed their sporting events.

On May 12, 1940 in Niles, Helen married Elton Thompson who preceded her in death on May 11, 1968. But from their union survives sons, Gary (& Linda) Thompson of Niles, and Tommy (& Jan) Thompson of Cape Coral, Florida; a daughter, Linda (& Frank) Zavitz of Niles; 7 grandchildren, Cheri (& Danny) Kulwicki, Craig (& Michelle) Thompson, James “Brad” (& Beverly) Thompson, Brian Thompson, Eric Thompson, Scott (& Crystal) Zavitz and Staci (& Derrick) Balos; and seven great-grandchildren, Danny, Krista and Katie Kulwicki, Christopher (& Holly) Thompson, Ashlyn Thompson, Bo Balos and Brody Zavitz. Also surviving are Helen’s sisters, Marjorie Turk of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Evelyn Hardebeck of Niles.

Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, Lucille “Tudy” Robinson, Elizabeth “Sis” Leonard, Albert Hardebeck, Gerhard Hardebeck, Henry Hardebeck and Harv Hardebeck.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Helen E. Thompson will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Niles, by The Rev. Thomas King, C.S.C. of the church. Committal Rites will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-8p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2014 at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 7:30 p.m.