Helen J. Christopherson-Otwaska

Helen J. Christopherson (nee: Otwaska) RACINE – Helen J. Christopherson, age 103, passed away on May 29, 2013 at Ridgewood Care Center. She was born in Milwaukee on April 4, 1910, daughter of Anton and Barbara Ruthe. When she was an infant the family moved to Corliss (Sturtevant). When she was 12 years old her father needed to go to Milwaukee, but was afraid to drive because of the traffic, so she drove him there. As a young girl she would ride the train from Corliss to downtown Racine to work as a soda jerk at the Arcade Building. She also worked as a switchboard operator for the first 25 phones installed in Sturtevant. On September 15, 1928 she was united in marriage to Wenzel P. Otwaska. While married they took many road trips out west to visit her sister in LasVegas. She and her husband, Wenzel operated Otwaska Food Market in Lake Park during the 1960’s. Wenzel preceded her in death on July 30, 1965. Helen married Martin Christopherson Sr. in 1973 and moved to Burlington. They enjoyed dancing at the Hiawatha in Sturtevant and the Knights of Columbus Hall. Additional time was spent traveling to northern Wisconsin. Martin preceded her in death in 1993. She was an avid bingo player, never missing a Thursday night game at Roma Lodge and celebrated her 103rd birthday playing bingo at Roma. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly (Benedict) Galovits, son, Dennis (Darlene) Otwaska, 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Rosemary Otwaska and step daughter-in-law, Pat Christopherson. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her son, James Otwaska, great granddaughter, Jamie Lynn Schaut, brother, Casmir (Cappy) Ruthe, sisters, Valerie (Volly) Mau and Claire Hoppe, step son, Martin Christopherson and 25 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Services and visitation will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery Chapel, 5600 Holy Cross Rd. on Monday, June 3, 2012 from 10 a.m. until time of service at `11 a.m. Special thanks to all the staff at Ridgewood Care Center for their love and support they provided for our mother during the past 8 years, with extra special thanks to the nurses at 1-West. Sturino Funeral Home 3014 Northwestern Ave. Racine, WI 53404 (262) 632-4479

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Helen J. Christopherson-Otwaska

April 4, 1910 - May 29, 2013