Helen J. (Turkal) Schaller, 99, died peacefully in a family home on October 18, 2023. She was the last surviving sibling of 11 children. Helen was one of the first female nurse anesthetists in the country beginning in the mid-1940’s. She received her “on-the job” training in Detroit, spent a short time in Philadelphia, and then spent most of her career in Milwaukee at Columbia Hospital. Helen’s compassion and dedication as a nurse anesthetist were the cornerstones of her adult life.
After marrying in her early 50’s, she and her husband (Heinz) retired, splitting their time between Bessemer MI and Largo FL. Helen’s final years were spent in MN with many loving family members. Funeral services will be held in MN; burial will take place at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the AANA Foundation (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists), to St. Sebastian Church, Bessemer, or to Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Helen, you have touched thousands of lives – family, friends, patients, and strangers. Your quiet lessons of compassion, resilience, patience, humor, courage, fortitude, and faith will always be a part of us and guide us.
Go With God (Idi sa Bogom)
Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am Thursday, October 26th, at the Church of the Assumption, 51 7th St. W., St. Paul, MN and can be viewed via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmJrO9YCzng. Visitation 9:30 am-10:00 am prior to Mass at the church.