Helen Heikkinen

Helen K. Heikkinen

July 31, 1943 — July 10, 2025

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Mrs. Helen Kathleen Heikkinen, age 81, went home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Helen was born on July 31, 1943, and was raised on a farm in Arnheim, Michigan, to the late William & Elvira (Saari) Niemi. On July 24, 1965, she married the love of her life, Edward “Bruce” Heikkinen. Together they shared countless memories, raised their two boys and celebrated 59 years of marriage. Helen loved the Lord and was a member of St Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. She also loved her family deeply. She also loved her family deeply. Her only granddaughter’s description of Helen is very fitting:

Sisu. That’s the one word I would use to describe my grandmother, the absolute embodiment of the word alone. Growing up close to my grandparents and their Finnish heritage that one word specifically was drilled into my vocabulary for as long as I can remember. In English the word Sisu roughly translates to determination, guts, courage- all traits my grandma possessed and clearly demonstrated throughout her life on earth. Helen and Bruce celebrated 59 wonderful years of marriage together and she passed away two weeks before their 60th wedding anniversary and three weeks before her birthday. In 1967 and 1970 she welcomed her two sons Jim and Jeff into the world and raised them to be the remarkable men they are today. My grandma was an obedient servant of Christ throughout her life and always stood up for what she believed in. Whenever she saw wrong, no matter how small or insignificant it may have seemed to anyone else, she would speak her mind and do what she believed was right. I remember my mother always saying “oh that’s just the stubborn tough Finnish lady in her” as a joke, yet in reality that was exactly the truth. My grandmother was one of the most fierce, independent, courageous woman I have ever known. Being close to her my whole life, I saw how much she cared about those around her so dearly. She was a passionate, caring, determined woman with a mission to serve Christ and those around her she cared about. Even if she didn’t always know the best way to show it I saw how much she cared and loved those around her. With so much self-determination and independence she never wanted help from anyone, ever. Not even those closest to her. She always wanted to be able to do things for others yet never wanted anyone else to do the same for her. One of the things that’s always perplexed me was her love of chores, especially doing the laundry. While most people would be glad to have someone to sweep their floors or do their laundry for them, Helen hated the idea of it. She adored the little things, the chores that annoy most of us as another forced painful daily task brought her joy. When she was not doing chores, you could find Helen and Bruce sharing a cup of coffee at the Frankenmuth McDonald’s where they made wonderful friendships. Almost as much as she loved chores tho, my grandma loved flowers. Growing up I always heard the detailed stories of the beautiful flower gardens she kept back at her home in Warren and how stunningly gorgeous it was (she even won the Warren beautification award!). I always wished I could have visited them to see her gardens in their full majesty. Besides adoring nature and animals and God’s wonderful creation, Helen served as a faithful servant to Christ throughout her life. Even towards the end during her periods of immense struggling she would always ask “how was church”, or “how can I stream the next church service”.  For as long as they could, her and grandpa would always sit right in the first row of the back section of the church on the far-right side, always making sure they were there to hear the word of Christ. 

It’s hard to put someone’s whole life in a few short minutes. My grandma was a fighter to the end. 

Her grandsons describe their Grandma Helen as one of the most loving individuals that they ever met. Even through the toughest of times, her first thought always was how she could help others. For many years grandma Helen would host Thanksgiving dinner, and she would always make sure we never left empty-handed. For us we always left Grandma Helen’s feeling loved.

Helen will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her sons, James (Judy) Heikkinen and Jeffery (MaryBeth) Heikkinen; beloved grandchildren, Anthony and Jeffrey (children of James) and Rachael and Risto (children of Jeffery); and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother Wendel Niemi.

Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, 1030 W. Tuscola, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Helen’s family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St Lorenz Lutheran Church and School.