Helen Louise Bambenek

Bambenek, Helen Louise (Boening) Helen passed away peacefully on December 17, 2023 at age 96 after a wonderful life. Beloved wife, devoted mother, aunt and grandmother. Preceded in death by husband, John, sister De and brothers: Carl, Buster and Jimmy. Survived by sisters: Dorothy and Treva. Children: Mary, Jeanne Snyder (Ken), John III MD (Cara), Anne Dreblow (Paul) and Jill. Grandchildren: Ira, Ivy (Nick), Karalyn (Aaron), Katy (Tom), Betsy (Kea), John IV, Russell, Jake, J.P. (Leo), Allison, Katelyn (Nate), Natalie (Tristan), Ben and Isabelle. Great-Grandchildren: Henry, Emily, Cecilia, Noel, Simon, Maeve and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen was born to Carl and Delia Boening in Big Stone City on March 14, 1927. She graduated Valedictorian, from Big Stone City High School and attended College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Helen graduated with a degree in Music Education and started her teaching career in Milroy, MN where she met and married John. They moved to Browns Valley, MN and Helen started giving piano lessons on Saturday mornings. Upon moving to Minneapolis Helen was offered a part time position at St. Catherine's which she gladly accepted. While raising her five children Helen increased her teaching duties, eventually becoming Chair of the Music Department. Along the way she managed to obtain her Master's Degree at the U of M. She enjoyed playing Bridge in both a Linden Hills neighborhood group and the Guild through St. Thomas the Apostle. Helen and John enjoyed spending winters in Harlingen, TX at the Sunshine (Encore) RV Park where they formed many lifelong friendships. She enjoyed planning and participating in parties, often rewriting humorous lyrics to popular songs and poems. Helen, who was beloved by her students, retired in 1990 after 30+ years and volunteered with elementary school students at Central Park School (Roseville) and Aquila School (St. Louis Park). Helen always enjoyed a good joke and attended music events of all kinds. Special thanks to the caring staff members at Augustana Rehab (Hopkins), Good Sam (New Hope), Parkshore (St. Louis Park), River Village (Mpls), Brookdale (North Oaks), New Perspective (Roseville) and Midwest Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Thursday, December 21, 2023 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 2914 W. 44th St., Mpls. Visitation at Washburn McReavy, 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins on Wednesday, December 20 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M and also one hour prior to service on Thursday, December 21 at St. Thomas the Apostle. Interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, December 22. Memorials preferred to St. Catherine University at onlinegifts@stkate.edu or Alzheimer's Association at alz.org/.