Helen Kelso-Macke

Helen Kelso-Macke, age 84, formerly of Carroll and Jefferson, died Monday, March 31, 2008, at Shalom Park in Aurora, Colorado, of complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 A.M., Saturday, May 3, 2008, at St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Father Timothy Schott. Lectors will be Alexandra Demos and Andrea Cocallas. Gift Bearers will be Kristin Sopoci, Andrea Cocallas, Alexandra Demos, Erin Presta, Kelly Presta, and Amber Sopoci. Eucharistic Minister will be Jacqui Bell-Essy. Graveside Services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Saturday at the Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson, Iowa. Father Donald Reis, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Jefferson will officiate at the graveside. The family will meet with friends beginning at 9 A.M. Saturday at St. Lawrence Church. Memorials may be left for the Alzheimer’s Association or for Beth Nehamah Hospice, 14800 E. Belleview Dr., Aurora, CO 80015. The Sharp Funeral Home of Carroll is in charge of funeral arrangements. Mrs. Macke was born on March 14, 1924, at Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Albert F. and Harriet (Belknap) Klahn. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Iowa in 1946 with a major in Journalism and minor in Political Science. On August 24, 1947, she was married to Jack Kelso in Iowa City. The Kelso’s moved to Jefferson, Iowa, where their four children were born. Mr. Kelso died in 1962. Mrs. Kelso married Louis Macke in June 1965 and moved to Carroll. Mr. Macke died in 1967. Mrs. Macke began working at the Carroll Hallmark Store and eventually bought the store in 1974. She operated Helen’s Hallmark Store until her retirement in 1993. She then moved to Boulder, Colorado, to be closer to her daughters. She was an accomplished pianist, an avid bridge player, and life long Iowa Hawkeye fan. Mrs. Macke was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter and Carroll Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Macke was an incredible person – smart, funny, and full of life. Survivors include her children, Jim Kelso and his wife Linda of Maple Grove, Minn., Sue Cocallas and her husband Chris of Boulder, Colorado, Janet Demos and her husband Jolly of Aurora, Colorado, and Sandy Presta and her husband Steve of Littleton, Colorado; grandchildren, Kristin Sopoci and her husband Dave, Marcus and Nicholas Kelso, Jeffrey and Andrea Cocallas, Alexandra and John Demos, and Erin and Kelly Presta; great grandchildren, Steven and Amber Sopoci; sister, Mildred Schwartz of Plattsburgh, New York; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; and a sister, Katherine Klahn, in infancy.

Helen Kelso-Macke

March 14, 1924 - March 31, 2008