Helena Graikowski

Helena Graikowski

October 12, 1938 - February 20, 2024

Nazhikewigaabawiikwe (Alone Standing Woman), Helena Moose Graikowski, age 85, passed away on February 20, 2024. Visitation will begin at 6 PM on Friday, February 23, 2024, at the Chiminising Community Center near Isle, MN. A Ceremony will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at the Chiminising Community Center near Isle, MN. Interment will be in the Faith Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia.

Helena was born October 12, 1938, in Cloquet, MN, to Alex Moose and Anne (Davis) Moose. Throughout her school age life, she attended the Minnesota School for the Deaf in Faribault, MN, and in 1959 Helena graduated.

In 1961, Helena married Richard Graikowski and together they raised 5 children in eastern Wisconsin. While Dad was working, Mom took pride in raising her children, making sure we grew up with love, discipline, and a sense of humor. Helena taught all her children and others American Sign Language (ASL). She loved being a mother, she entertained the family with game nights and outside activities which were a regular event. She influenced her children with good work ethics.

Helena lived a full and active life. She loved to travel, cheered on the Green Bay Packers, and looked forward to playing Dominoes with all her grown children and grandkids.

She attended various vocational schooling which allowed her to work many different occupations, such as working as a beautician, data entry clerk, machinist, US Postal Service, and lastly at the Mille Lacs Band Office of Management and Budget as a file clerk.

She faced numerous challenges throughout her life and overcame every obstacle with grace and dignity. She is the last of the original Moose family that help populate the old Indian Mission Road reservation in the early 1940's.

In her final days, she expressed that she lived a long and satisfying life; and was extremely proud to see her children grow up to succeed in life.

Helena is survived by her four children, Corwin (Ruth Sam) Graikowski, Onamia MN, Jay (Emma aka Mackie) Graikowski, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Gilda (Tracy) Burr Onamia and Emma Gagnon, Wausau WI; nieces, Dawn Boyd-Chosa and Jenny Moose- Buckholtz; nephew, Bob Moose; grandchildren, Luke (Libby) Gagnon, Cassandra Graikowski, Corrista Graikowski-Dwyer, Jeremey, Loren, Danica and Jace Burr, and April Coming Hay; seven great-grandchildren, Kingsley McKuene, Damion Coming Hay, Esme, Ethan, Everleigh, Novalee Burr and Auna Burn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alex and Annie Moose; brothers, Paul, Basil, Bob and Freddie Moose; sisters, Brenda, Bernice, Nancy Alice; daughter, Paula; nephew, Richard Graikowski-Del Kittie and David Boyd; and her ex-husband, Richard Graikowski; other great nieces and nephews.

Cemetery Details

Faith Lutheran Cemetery

Isle, MN 56342

Previous Events

Visitation

FEB 23. 6:00 PM.

Chiminising Community Center Near Isle

Ceremony

FEB 24. 10:00 AM.

Chiminising Community Center Near Isle