Helen was born July 27, 1932, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Frank and Hattie (Tanner) Norton. After graduating from high school, Helen attended L.I.F.E. Bible College in Los Angeles, California, where she graduated with a ministerial degree. She was married to Rev. Richard A. Millen for 52 years before he died in 2004.
The Revs. Richard & Helen Millen pastored 50 years in ministry in various Foursquare Gospel Churches across the U.S., retiring after pastoring the Duluth Foursquare Gospel Church for 20 years.
Helen went on to receive her 60-year service award from the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. She had continued her ministry of counseling women, teaching Bible classes, and even performed a few weddings and funerals.
In 2004, Helen began attending the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle with her adult children, and participated in leading the Aftenro and the Bayshore Nursing Home Ministries. She taught the Tuesday Ladies’ Bible Study and enjoyed fellowship with the Sonshiners.
Besides pastoring, Helen was a master stylist beautician for 30 years. She owned and operated her own beauty salon both in RockHill, S.C. and in Rhinelander, WI. In Duluth, she worked at the Cameo Beauty Salon in West Duluth and taught classes downtown at the Cosmetology Beauty College, before working and retiring from the JCP Beauty Salon after 18 years of service.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; one son, Ricky; by her parents and parents-in-law; two brothers and two sisters.
She is survived by one daughter-Cynthia (Bill Sr.) Simmons; two sons-Randal A. Millen and Ryan (Amy) Millen, all of Duluth; one sister-in-law- Marlene Rodriguez of Mulberry, FL; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 am until the 11:00 am Funeral Service on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at Duluth Gospel Tabernacle, 1515 W. Superior Street, Duluth. Inurnment will take place at Oneota Cemetery at a later date. Please leave a memory or words of support for Helen’s family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com
