Born ‎11 Jun 1932 Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, died ‎14 Mar 2021 West Allis, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin‎, age 88 years, buried Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Helen Ruth Kalian (nee Cowen), 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, 2021,
at her home in West Allis, Wisconsin.

She was born in Watertown, WI, on June 11, 1932, to Estella and Frank Cowen, the youngest of a large family. After graduating from Marquette University in 1956, Helen began her career as a speech and English teacher in Modesto, CA, Harvey, IL, and Monroe, WI. This began her lifelong passion for excellence in education.

She married Hani Kalian (of Baghdad, Iraq,) at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Sun Prairie, WI. on December 30, 1961. Together they raised their family of three daughters in the Milwaukee area.

Helen was a devoted wife and mother who enjoyed traveling, books, gardening, being outdoors, and feeding the birds in her backyard. Many happy memories were shared at picnics and family gatherings, especially at Riverside Park in Watertown. Helen cherished her many grandchildren. She frequently regaled them with stories from her childhood and often sang her favorite folk songs with them. Most important to Helen was her Catholic Faith, devotions to many Saints and the daily Rosary. A long time parishioner of St. Hugh of Lincoln Church, she will be dearly missed by her church family.

Helen is survived by her daughters: Bridget, Lucy, and Clarinda; sons-in-law: Robert Mueller, Stephen Simmerer, and Christopher Hable; sister-in-law, Betty Cowen; brother-in-law, Lyman (Bud) Conger; grandchildren: Thomas (Corie), Julia (John Minges), Rose (Rob Pfeiffer), James, Mary, Michael, Peter, and Grace Mueller; Catherine, Edward, Patrick, Eleanor, Clarissa, Stephen Jr., and Brendan Simmerer; Monica, Margaret, Bridget, Anne, Joseph, Theresa, William, and Marie Hable; great grandchildren: Robert, Philip, Matthew, Stephen, Maria, Nicholas, and Jerome; and many nieces and nephews. Helen is predeceased by her beloved husband, Hani Kalian, her parents, and brothers and sisters.

A wake will be held on Friday, March 19th, at 4pm at Bevsek-Verbick Funeral Home, in West Allis, with Rosary at 8pm. A Requiem Mass will be offered at St. Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Church in Milwaukee, on Saturday, March 20th, at 10am. There will be a short visitation beginning at 9:30am at the church. Interment at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Watertown, WI.

Bevsek-Verbick Funeral Home & Crematory

Born ‎16 Aug 1933 Mosul, Iraq, died ‎30 Nov 2003 Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin‎, age 70 years, buried Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Hani and Helen were visiting a daughter for Thanksgiving and Hani died.
Hani was a mechanical designer for Harnischfeger (P&H)