Helen Whitney

Whitney, Helen Gena MADISON-Helen Gena Whitney, age 95, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015. She was born on March 15, 1919, at the Droster Homestead in Burke, Wis., the daughter of Leonard and Emily Swenson. Helen graduated from Madison East High School in 1937 and went on to study bookkeeping at Madison Vocational School. She married Edwin Whitney on Aug. 18, 1940. Helen was employed by Indian Head Hotel, Block Cleaners Alterations, S.S. Kresge, Gallagher Tent and Awning, McArdle Cancer Research Lab, Wisconsin Cheeseman for 20 years, and Swiss Colony for 20 years, retiring at the age of 76. Helen was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she belonged to the alter guild. She loved quilting and sewing and was a great seamstress. Helen is survived by her children, Allida “Patricia” Whittney, Marylyn Bruce, Dean Whitney, and Don (Claire) Whitney; grandchildren, Jason and James Bruce, Megan (George) Whitney-Wortz; six great-grandchildren, Janetta, Leah, Phoebe, Madison, Trinity, and Everett; brother, Roy (Mary) Swenson; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Emily Swenson; husband of 50 years, Edwin; son, Thomas; brother, Leonard Swenson; sister-in-law, Shirley Swenson; and her sons-in-law, Carl Forkes and Edwin Bruce. A funeral service will be held at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1904 Winnebago Street, Madison, at noon, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420