Clark, Helen (née Helen Field) 74, was a fantastic woman who loved life, her countless friends, and her big loud Irish family. She was thankful for her parents, Char and John Field, who raised her in a home where she felt safe and loved and she called "wonderful." Helen was #3 of the five kids in her family. She loved her siblings - Patty, Marcia, Jack, and Jane - who she considered very positive and always game for family fun. Field Fests? Fields' Night to Howl? Pizza & Trivia? How Many Fields Can Fit In A Minivan? Drive to a concert in Iowa? Yes to all! She was thankful the family expanded to include in-laws, nieces, and nephews who all adored her and were also up for family misadventures. Although she always wanted kids of her own, she shifted her goal to becoming a favorite aunt. Mission: accomplished. One of her favorite traditions was being a Book Aunt to her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews - gifting them with books each year for Christmas. (She loved reading and said she always wanted to be a librarian.) Helen graduated from Edina High School and the University of Minnesota. She remained close with many of her classmates and her Kappa sisters. Helen worked at Wellens & Co., Raphaely International, Land O Lakes, the University of Minnesota, and Dr. Covin's and Dr. Hoover's dental offices. She made friends everywhere she worked and was thankful for these friendships and visits during her sudden illness. Whether for business or pleasure, Helen saw the world. She visited France, Ukraine, England, Ireland, Indonesia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Poland, Taiwan, Denmark, and many more! She biked around Greece. She even heli-skied in the Canadian Rockies. For the last twenty years, she enjoyed her family sailing trips in Florida. Helen was a terrific baker. She often baked pies for family functions, but she is most famous for her cookies - it's also what she considered herself to be best at. Almost every year since 1978, she and her friend Pat baked Christmas cookies - a lot of Christmas cookies - between 80 and 100 dozen every year. Helen credited her parents with instilling a sense of right and wrong. From that upbringing, she held herself to a high standard and did her best to remain true to those beliefs. Those close to her know she was also comfortable calling you out if she thought you were crossing any kind of line. Helen hated bananas. Helen's fifth-grade report card still rings true today: "She has a heartwarming personality and is liked by everyone." Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 2 at Meetinghouse Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Published on June 30, 2024