Helen M. McKenna

Helen M. McKenna of Antigo, formerly of Lakewood, passed away on May 18, 2026 under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice at the age of 80.

Helen was born on December 9, 1945 in Shawano, Wisconsin. She grew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin and graduated from Washington High School in 1963. Helen married Lee McKenna from Two Rivers on October 31, 1964. They had two children; a son Shawn McKenna and daughter Colleen McKenzie. The family lived in Big Rock, Illinois from 1966 to 1980, when they moved to Lakewood, Wisconsin. Helen moved to Antigo, Wisconsin in 2019.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Lee McKenna in 1978; son Shawn in 2016; mother Pauline Klemens; father Walter Kelmens; brother Leonard Klemens; niece Nicole Klemens; mother-in-law Gladys McKenna; father-in-law Leonard Klemens; brothers-in-law Daniel McKenna, Michael McKenna, Richard Oelke; and daughter-in-law Robin Peerenboom.

Helen is survived by daughter Colleen (Jerald Keith) McKenzie; grandson Steven (Jamie); great granddaughter Emily (Sam); great great grandson Dawson; grandson Scott, grandson Shane; great granddaughters Kharmilla and Penny; grandson Joshua; great grandsons Johnathan, Isaac, Liam, and Noah, grandson Patrick; daughter-in-law Keli Fisher; grandson Ian; granddaughter Lauren; sister Delores Oelke, Dorothy Hester, Agnes Ollendorf, Susan (Ritchie) Peterson; brothers Richard (Christine) Klemens, John (Sue) Klemens, brother-in-law Ted McKenna, sister-in-law Sue McKenna, many nieces nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and wonderful friends and neighbors.

Helen loved crocheting, sewing, reading, gardening with her daughter, playing cards with family and friends, fishing with her grandsons and friends, and giving a helping hand. She was the Yahtzee Queen and the puzzle lady.

“Thank you to my family, friends, and travel companions. Thank you to all my wonderful employers in Lakewood from bartending to home and wood finishing to SuperValu bakery to Marilyn’s Greenhouse. You’ve all been the best!”

Helen and her family would like to extend a special thank you to all the doctors, nurses, technicians, and pharmacists who helped her along the way. Thank you as well to LeRoyer Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion and thank you to all of Helen’s dear friends for not only their friendship, but their care.

A celebration of life will be held by Helen’s family on Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Senior Center of Langlade County, located at 623 Edison Street, Antigo, WI 54409.