Helen Elaine Cline

Helen was born July 9, 1940, in Trimountain, to the late Charles and Laila (Karna) Torro. She graduated from Doelle High School and worked briefly in Detroit as a key punch operator.

Childhood sweetheart and love of her life, John Cline, proposed to her in a letter while he was stationed in France. The two married in South Range in 1961 and celebrated 59-plus years of true happiness. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Karen (Vanderhoff).

The Cline family moved to the Detroit area in 1965. Helen was a truly devoted mother and best friend. She loved to be a room mother, attended all the games Karen cheered at, never missed a marching band performance, no matter where it was. Later, Helen worked at Palmer Paint in Troy.

In 1983, Helen and John returned to the Upper Peninsula and resided on his grandparents’ farm in Tapiola. They owned the Airport Diner for a while. Helen also worked at the berry farm in Chassell, the Tapiola Diner, and was an attentive caregiver. They moved to the Thumb area in 2013 to be closer to Karen.

Helen always had a smile; her sense of humor and infectious laugh were known by all. She loved to plan gatherings for her extended family and cook wonderful meals for everyone. She had a heart of gold and gave to others in any way she could. Helen was very good friends with many in the Mennonite Community. She enjoyed cooking and talking on the CB radio and loved her dogs, especially Lily.

Helen is survived by her loving husband, John; daughter, Karen Vanderhoff; grandson, George II (Beth) Vanderhoff; great grandchildren, George Vanderhoff III and Sydney Tosto; sisters, Shirley Kahler, Beverly Butcher; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her son-in-law, George Vanderhoff; brother, Kenneth Torro; sisters, Betty Raisanen, Elsie Maki, and Dorothy Parker.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on July 9, 2021, at Mission United Lutheran Church in Pelkie with her service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Houghton Cemetery.