Helen Jane Onsager

Helen J. Onsager, 86, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024. She is survived by children Mark (Teresa) Onsager, Dr. Kay (Tom) Toomey, Paul (Julie) Onsager, Lee (Michelle) Onsager, Jill (Tim) Bosworth, and seven adoring grandchildren.

Helen was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 30, 1937, to Margaret and Wilfred Specker. She was the youngest of three daughters, with her two sisters (Gladys and Eunice) being more than ten years older than her. She had fond memories of being raised on a dairy farm in Mahtomedi, Minnesota. However, her father died of cancer when she was 16 years old, so her family sold the farm. Although she had lost her father at an early age, she always had the love and support of her mother and two sisters.

Helen graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 1955. After high school she met Robert (Bob) Onsager of Scandia, Minnesota, and they married in February 1958. Bob and Helen’s family grew quickly, with their oldest child, Mark, being born in 1959, followed by Kay, Paul, Lee, and Jill. The family lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa before eventually settling in a small southern Minnesota town along the banks of the Mississippi River. The family had a pontoon boat on the Mississippi and loved camping on sand bars and catching small river turtles as “pets.”

In 1973, Helen’s family relocated to Littleton, Colorado for Bob’s job. With five children in the house, Helen was a full-time homemaker while Bob travelled regularly for his job. Aside from raising her kids, Helen always loved playing cards with her passion being bridge. She joined multiple bridge groups and met many life-long friends playing cards. Her passion for bridge continued later into her life with Helen earning several master bridge points for her tournament play.

Once her youngest daughter left the home for college, Helen embarked on her second career as a tax preparer. She took tax classes and then began working for Riley Tax Service regularly during tax season each year. Helen eventually ended up working for the IRS as well for a number of years at the end of her career as a tax aide specialist.

Helen and Bob divorced in 1992, but she never let that dampen her spirits. She went on to make many new friends and enjoyed travelling with friends after her retirement to places such as Europe and Egypt.

In addition to playing cards, Helen loved spending time with her children and grandchildren in the family swimming pool. Helen hosted countless parties and family gatherings in and around the pool. Later, after she sold her home of 44 years in Littleton, she insisted on living in a retirement community with a pool so that she could continue to swim regularly.

In 2021, Helen went to live with her daughter, Jill, and her family in Centennial. Helen received much love, care, and support from Jill’s family, which allowed her to gracefully age in-place. Helen passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on April 12, 2024, after a long battle with dementia. She will be forever loved and missed by her family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held for Helen at the Elks Lodge at 5749 S. Curtice St., Littleton, CO 80128 at 1:30 pm on June 2, 2024. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (www.alzfdn.org) in Helen’s name.