Helen R O'Brien

Helen R. O’Brien, 85, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Golden Years Nursing Home, Lake Geneva, WI.  She was born May 6, 1938, in Chicago, IL, to Anton S. Englbrecht and Anna  (Mayer) Englbrecht.  She married Larry B. O’Brien on July 26, 1954.  

Helen and her husband were lifelong residents of Harvard.  For many years they owned and operated Sanborn Engineering.  For a number of years thereafter, Helen worked at Lefthander Chassis.

When time permitted, Helen and her husband enjoyed spending time fishing at their cabin in Presque Isle, WI.  They both loved auto racing.  After her husband’s passing, Helen continued to be an avid race fan following all of the NASCAR races.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her brother, Anton E. Englbrecht, of Grand Junction, CO.  She is survived by her two daughters. Loreen A. O’Brien of Woodstock, IL, and Peggy L. O’Brien of Woodstock, IL, three granddaughters, Kelly (Nick) Niesen of Waunakee, WI, Emily Green of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Bonnie Busse of Cape Girardeau, MO, three great grandchildren, Mary and Francis Niesen of Waunakee, WI, and Cooper Green of Cape Girardeau, MO.  

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 10th  from 10 AM until the 12 PM service at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 E. Diggins Street, Harvard with Interim Pastor - Reverend Dawn Roucka presiding. Interment will take place at Mt. Auburn.

Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net.

For more information, please call Saunders & McFarlin (815) 943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.