Helen A. Walker

Helen A. Walker, 80, of Iron Mountain, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson. Helen was born on February 18, 1945, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Elden and Anne (Albert) Outcalt. She was the third of six children and a lifelong resident of the area. She was married to Donald J. Alsteen from 1962 to 1980. As a strong and determined young mother of three, Helen proudly earned her high school diploma, graduating from Niagara High School in 1974. On January 9, 1982, she married James A. Walker at Trinity United Methodist Church. Throughout her working years, Helen held various roles, including at Fugere Brothers and M.J. Electric, where she worked for 14 years. She was also the proud owner of Helping Hands for 25 years before passing the business on to her granddaughter and retiring in 2018. Helen enjoyed baking, reading, and was highly skilled in sewing and crocheting. She was also a wonderful cook, famously known for cooking everything on high—her meals were always delicious, even if the timing was dictated by the smoke alarm. A force to be reckoned with, Helen never shied away from hard work. Much to her husband’s occasional chagrin, she often began home remodeling projects with a hammer in hand. She was loving, kind-hearted, and deeply committed to her community. Helen played an instrumental role in establishing the Caring House, the area’s first shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Known as “Mama” to her children, Helen will be deeply missed. She is survived by her loving husband, James; her children, LouAnne (Larry Crittenden) Allard, Darren (Tracy) Alsteen, Tamara (Ken) Kuder, Julie Osieczonek, and Chuck (Angie) Walker; her grandchildren, Cory Allard, Morgan (Nick) Sparks, Brianna Allard, Alyssa (Seth) Stromberg, Kendra Alsteen, Carlie (Bill Hartwig) Stromberg, Jenna (Caleb Hingos) Alsteen, Keiley Alsteen, Tyler (Courtney) Fabry, Travis Paquin, Joey Kuder, Tadd (Lindsey) Marcell, Brandon Walker, Kayla Byrd, and Christopher Walker; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Pearl Outcalt, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Frank (Mary Lou) Outcalt, Judy Brown, Milo Outcalt, and Elden Outcalt. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain, with Fr. Martin Flynn presiding. Burial will be at Dickinson County Memorial Gardens. Condolences to the family of Helen Walker may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Helen A. Walker

February 18, 1945 - March 30, 2025