Helene M. Geiselhardt

Helene Birkofer Geiselhardt, 82, passed away January 9, 2016. Helene was born November 9, 1934 the 5th child of Josef and Teresia Birkofer in Ravensburg, Southern Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest brother Oskar was killed at the end of WWII, her brother Josef was killed in a motorcycle accident at age 26, and her other brother died at age 66 of lung cancer, her older sister Margot died at age 88 in 2013 of heart failure. Helene grew up in Ravensburg, Germany during WWII and escaped the allied bombings during the war. She attended customary public schools and at age 14 trained in Ladies Ready Wear until graduation at age 18. She came to the United States in 1957 to learn the English Language and to see the world. While here she met her husband of 57 years, they were married in 1958, settled in Denver and together raised their 3 children. In 1967 they opened their own delicatessen in University Hills where Helene made wonderful desserts, including her famous cheesecakes, for which she became well-known. She became an accomplished pastry chef. Helene and Alfred operated their restaurants for 30 years before they retired. Still too young to sit back and do nothing, Helene worked for 11 years part time for Tony's Meats on Dry Creek Road in Centennial, where she met many of her customers. Poor health forced her to retire at age 74. Helene would always say, ""I miss my customers""! Helene will be greatly missed and loved by her 3 children Tom (Jennifer), Barbara (Mark) and Marianne (Mark), her 11 grandchilren and 4 great-grandchildren. A Rosary and Vigil Service will be held Thursday, 1/14/2016 at 6:30pm, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road, Centennial Colorado. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, 1/15/2016, 11:30am, St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 8035 South Quebec Street, Centennial, Colorado, 80112. Helene will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 2:00pm, Shelter A. Please leave memories and condolences for Helen's family in the guestbook below.