Helen Allen-Hamilton, 101, of Beloit, WI, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2011 in Pioneer Court, Beloit, WI. She was born January 7, 1910 in Rockdale, WI, the daughter of Christian and Helen Mathison Christenson. She married James T. Allen on December 9, 1939. They lived in Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver and Evanston, Illinois. He predeceased her on September 4, 1962. A few years later, Helen and a very good friend, Doris Johnson, began traveling throughout the United States and many countries in Europe, to Japan and China, even walking on the "Great Wall of China". She always said she would like to go to Greece but never had the opportunity. Helen graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Magna Cum Laude in 1932. She was employed as a book buyer with Marshall Fields in downtown Chicago and Evanston, IL. While attending the University in Madison, Helen became acquainted with Roger A. Hamilton of Clinton and they remained friends for over fifty years. On Nov. 7, 1982, they were married at the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton and lived in Clinton, WI. Roger predeceased her on Feb. 10, 1996. Helen was a very active member of the Clinton Community Historical Society, the Friends of the Clinton Library, the Clinton Garden Club and the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton.
Helen is survived by three step children: Dr. James (Shirley) Hamilton of Clinton, WI, Keith (Nancye) Hamilton of Concord, OH and Ellyn (Steven) George; Seven nieces and nephews: David (Jane) Ross of Madison, WI and Robert (Janet) Ross of Verona, WI, Nancy (Allan) Baars of Cleveland, WI, Betty (Robert) Mabbs of Batavia, IL, Farrell (Chris) and Bev Christenson of Adams, WI, Sally (Ben) Johnson of Clarmont, CA and Richard (Sarah) Christenson of Madison, WI. She was predeceased by two brothers, Dennis (Harriet) Christenson and Alfred (Edith) Christenson and three sisters: Esther (Marion) Ross-Mathison, Polly (Oliver) Britt and Avilda (Theodore) Anderson. A Celebration of Helen's Life will be 11 a.m. Sat., June 4, 2011, in the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of CLINTON, 312 Church Street, Clinton, WI with her step grandson, Reverend Mark Bedford officiating. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until time of service in the church on Saturday. Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 2011, in the ROCKDALE LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY in Rockdale, WI. Memorials may be given in Helen's name to Beloit Regional Hospice, 655 Third St., Suite 200, Beloit, WI 53511, Friends of Clinton Library, 214 Mill St., Clinton, WI 53525, First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, 312 Church Street Clinton, WI 53525 or Pioneer Court, 2122 Pioneer Drive, Beloit, WI 53511 (Janesville Gazette May 28, 2011)