Helen Danhakl

1936 - 2015

Helen Jensen Danhakl

April 16, 1936 - August 12, 2015

Helen Jensen Danhakl, 79, an 8th generation Californian and fixture in the Oakland Piedmont real estate community for decades died peacefully Wednesday August 12th, following a brief illness. Her three children were at her side.

Helen was born April 16th 1936 to Percival "Ted" Jensen and Alice Ontiveros Jensen. The Jensen family had immigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1800's, eventually settling in Utah. The Ontiveros family, were some of the earliest Spanish founders of California dating back to the late 1700's. Helen's great grandfather, Juan Pacifico Ontiveros, founded the town of Santa Maria CA.

Helen was a resident of Oakland her entire life. She graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1953 and enrolled at University of California, Berkeley at the age of 17, the first in her family to go to college. Helen took a "Toddlers Timeout" following the birth of her sons John in 1956 and Jim in 1958, returning to Cal in 1962 and graduating with a degree in sociology. As a single mother supporting two young boys, Helen worked a variety of jobs most notably at the Oakland Tribune in what she described as the "First Google" whereby customers could call and ask any question on any topic and Helen would find the answer.

In April 1964, Helen married Thomas C. Danhakl a Chevron Engineer. They settled in the Montclair district of Oakland, adding to the family in 1966 with the birth of their daughter Christine. In 1969 the family moved to England and upon their return in 1971 moved to Piedmont CA.

In 1975 Helen embarked upon what would become a highly successful real estate career. Helen was a broker in the Montclair offices of Coldwell Banker, Better Homes and for the past 25 years at Pacific Union. Blessed with a natural ability to understand client needs and an engaging personality, Helen was consistently one of the top producers in the Oakland Piedmont area selling over 600 homes in a career spanning nearly 40 years. A drive with Helen through the Oakland hills was a rich and entertaining history lesson of the people, places and events that have shaped the local area. She was known as a strong client advocate, with deep knowledge of real estate law and also as a creative problem solver. Helen never lost her love for real estate. A week before she died, she was still driving around "on tour" looking at homes, commenting on prices and making predictions.

Helen was a long time and active member of the Bellevue Club in Oakland, Commonwealth Club of California, Sequoyah Country Club, Children's Fairyland of Oakland and Oakland Parks and Recreation as well as numerous other social and political groups. She will always be remembered for her generosity, empathy, loyalty, strong wit, great story telling and her willingness to take spirited action in the things she cared about.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom who died in 2009 and is survived by her sons, John Danhakl (Katherine) of Pacific Palisades, CA, Jim Danhakl of Lemoore CA and Christine Danhakl of Oakland CA, Grandchildren, Tommy (Victoria), Katie (James Barnett), Stephanie, Richie, Lizzy and Maggie, and Great Grandchildren Julia and Teddy.

Services and a celebration of Helen's life will be held Saturday, August 29th at 11 am at the Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland and is open to all who were touched by this unique and iconic lady. Donations in her spirit may be made to her favorite charity, the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.