Karen Helin

Destin, Florida Karen Jennie (Kelch) Helin, 82, of Destin, Florida and formerly of Athens, Ohio passed away August 29, 2024, after a short illness, at the Grand Boulevard Health and Rehabilitation Center, Miramar Beach, Florida. Her husband was by her side.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Clarence (Dutch) Kelch and Francis (Parry) Kelch and a brother, Robert. She is survived by a son Eric Scott Helin of Palm Coast, Florida and identical twin daughters Anna Lynn (Helin) Sullivan of Dallas, Texas and Sarah Lynn (Helin) Gross of Acworth, Georgia. Karen is also survived by four grandchildren Parker, Luke, Mitch, and Jake and by a nephew, Scott Apelgren of Indialantic, Florida and a niece, Trayce (Apelgren) Percival of Garland, Texas.

Karen was born May 12,1942 in Athens, Ohio. During her formative years, Karen attended Athens schools and the First Christian Church. It was while a student at Athens High that Karen was selected as an Athens High School United Nations Scholar.

Following her graduation from Athens High, Karen began her college studies at Western Reserve University [now Case Western Reserve University] in Cleveland, Ohio. After Karen's first year at Western Reserve, she transferred to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she graduated in 1964.

Karen, while working at the concierge's desk at the OU Student Union, met Ernie Helin, her future husband. Ernie, who had earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio U and had just been separated from military service, was a graduate student at OU. They were married on December 12, 1964, at the First English Lutheran Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Immediately after graduating from Ohio University, Karen worked as a research assistant in the experimental research laboratory at Case Western Reserve University. There she honed her research skills studying and working with Dr. Boris Ephrussi, an internationally recognized expert in embryology and genetics and his wife, Dr. Harriett Taylor-Ephrussi, a geneticist.

Karen dedicated the years following her employment at Case Western Reserve to raising her three children. During this time, Karen inspired her children to become well-educated, self-sufficient, and independent thinkers. In addition, Karen thought her children should behave appropriately, be culturally sensitive, and converse and write using proper and correct grammar.

Karen, along with her maturing children, was quite active in Girl Scout activities.

After her children were grown, Karen's work career took her to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and to Presbyterian Hospital, both in Oklahoma City. At both institutions, she was involved in infant and adult gastroenterology research and GI patient care. As a social and educational activity, Karen became active in the Master Gardener program.

Her last work assignment prior to retirement was as Director of the Medical Library, University of Arkansas Health Sciences Center, El Dorado, Arkansas. While working at the medical library, Karen enrolled in graduate school at Louisiana Tech University and while there, continued to build on her research skills.

In Coelo Quies Est. Karen Helin