Helen Huhta

Helen Phares Huhta (1924-2017)

Madison: Helen Phares Huhta--devoted wife, mother, and grandmother--passed away on March 20, 2017. She was born on December 5, 1924 in Montrose, WV, to Emerson and Luella Phares. After graduating from Elkins High School in 1942, Helen worked as a typist in Baltimore, MD, where she met her husband, Clifford Edwin Huhta, a 1st lieutenant with the 26th Yankee Division. Clifford was awarded the Bronze Star medal while serving in General Patton's Third Army in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Helen supported Clifford in his career as an FBI special agent, which brought them to Phoenix, AZ, Milwaukee, WI, and finally Superior, WI, where they lived for 34 years, spending summers at the cabin they built on nearby Lake Nebagamon.

Helen worked for several federal agencies in Superior, including the Selective Service and the bankruptcy court, while raising three children and maintaining an active social life in Superior and Lake Nebagamon. She was an avid bridge player and regular attendee of Bible studies. In 1986 Clifford and Helen moved to Pearland, TX, returning to Lake Nebagamon for summers until they sold the cabin in 1996. In Pearland they became members of the First United Methodist Church, and lived near Helen's sister, Mildred "Liz" Kubota, and brother Lindsay Phares.

After Clifford's death in 2007, Helen moved from Pearland to Madison, WI, where she remained until her death. Helen will be remembered as a dedicated correspondent, an exceptional baker, a graceful hostess, and a prayerful woman of faith.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford, and her son, Dr. Steven E. Huhta. She is survived by her son Dr. James C. Huhta (Nan) of Tampa, FL; daughter Dr. Nancy H. Comello (David) of Middleton, WI; daughter-in-law Patty Huhta Bartholomew (Thomas) of Downington, PA; sister Jean Steindler of Richmond, VA; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Elkins, West Virginia on July 30, 2017. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the employees of Coventry Village and Sebring Assisted Care for their compassionate care of Helen in her final years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Helen and Clifford's son, Steven E. Huhta, for aspiring music students from Superior Senior High School. Donations can be sent to the Superior Scholarship Foundation, 3025 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI, 54880.

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