1930-2020

Helen Geraldine (Clanton) formerly Dejung, DuBois, age 89, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020, at her residence in Minnesota.

She was born October 20, 1930, in Ironwood, MI, the daughter of the late Earl and Irma (Wiita) Clanton. Helen spent her childhood in Tomahawk, WI. She moved to Rice Lake, WI. and married John Dejung on June 23, 1951 at Bethany Lutheran Church, before eventually moving to Eau Claire and Stanley, WI, where she raised her own family. In the later years of her life, she moved back to Tomahawk, WI.

Helen was preceded in death by her first husband of 46 years, John Dejung; second husband of 9 years, Eugene “Gene” DuBois; and one brother, Edward “Ed” Clanton.

She was wonderfully devoted to her 3 children Barbara (James) Theirl of Lakeville, MN, Jane Eyvindsson (Craig Foret) of Richfield, MN and John (Connie) Dejung of WI Dells.

Helen was affectionately known as “Granny” and was a loving grandmother to Peter, Michael, Paul, Andrew, Nicholas, Kimberly, Joshua, Jeremy, and Jessica. She also has 12 great grandchildren.

She was enthusiastic about life and loved being active. Her very full life included traveling well into her later years, volunteering, and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. Helen was a feisty, tough gal with a heart of gold. Her “toughness” most-likely the result of her proud Finnish heritage, as well as her relation to the Clanton Gang from the O.K. Corral, both of which she loved to research and tell stories about. Never one to shy away from a challenge, she even went white-water rafting at the age of 65.

In the last few years of her life, Helen sadly suffered from dementia. Although this was difficult, it allowed for family and friends to say a “long goodbye.” The family would like to thank the staff at The Waters of Edina and Wealshire of Bloomington for the wonderful care they provided on a daily basis.

Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanley, or the Stanley or Tomahawk Historical Society A grave-side service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Nora Cemetery in Rice Lake, WI. Plombon Funeral Service-Stanley assisted the family with arrangements. Due to Covid, the family and the funeral service requests everyone wear masks.