Helga Finke Wycoff, 71, of Lawrence, KS died on September 24, 2011. She was born to Anna and Hermann Finke on February 8, 1940 in Nordenham, Germany. Helga, a gifted athlete, competed in the German National Championships in sprinting while in Gymnasium (high school equivalent). She graduated in 1957 and then went on to become a nurse. Helga then pursued her dream of seeing the world by working as a ship’s nurse.
She met her husband, Norman Wycoff, in Washington, D.C. in 1965. The couple and their young son, Lars, then moved to Ethiopia. While living in Africa, Helga traveled back to Germany for the births of their sons Marc and Patric . In 1971 Helga and her family moved back to the U.S. She was a resident of Lawrence for 34 years.
Helga worked as a respiratory therapist for a number of years at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. She then became a neuromuscular diagnostic technician in the Department of Neurology at KU Medical Center. In addition to caring for her family and working a full-time job, Helga also found time for other endeavors. For seven years she helped care for developmentally disabled men at Cottonwood, Inc. in Lawrence. Helga also volunteered in a suicide prevention program at the Headquarters Counseling Center. She also volunteered for Women’s Transitional Care Services.
Helga was known for her hospitality. An excellent cook, particularly of Ethiopian food, many people enjoyed her food, drinks, music and lively conversation. Her backyard was a common gathering place for many types of people. Helga welcomed everyone, and broadened the world of everyone who knew her.
Helga is survived by her three sons, Lars (daughter-in-law, Karen, and grandsons Nathan and Keenan) of Lawrence, Marc of Lawrence, and Patric of Topeka. She is also survived by her ex-husband, Norman, of Lawrence. Helga will also be deeply missed by close friends Charlene Droste of Lawrence, Cathy Bogart of Kansas City, and William Coil of Lawrence.
Helga will be cremated and interred at Lawrence Memorial Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 2 at her home, 2003 Stratford Road, Lawrence.
Family and friends request that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Helga’s honor to support neuromuscular research at KU Medical Center. Contributions can be made through: KU Endowment, The University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160.
This information was provided to the Journal-World as a paid tribute.
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