Helen T. Balen, 95, peacefully passed away on the morning of April 15, 2023 at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital. She was born on October 26, 1927 in Waukegan, IL. the daughter of the late Victor and Anna (Rimkus) Racas. She graduated from St. Bartholomew Grade School in 1941 and Waukegan Township High School in 1945. Helen married her late husband, John L. Balen on May 27, 1950, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Waukegan. She was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of St. Bartholomew Parish which later merged into Most Blessed Trinity Parish. She was also an enthusiastic and active member of St. Bartholomew Senior Club. Her career at Abbott Laboratories spanned nearly 23 years. She was highly devoted to her family and friends and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her two daughters; Rochelle (Thomas) Talley of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Cheryl (David) Kelly of Geneva, IL., one son, John V. (Norma) Balen of Hillsborough, CA., six grandchildren; John (Courtney), and Lauren (Greg) Kaminski, Allyson and Elena Kelly, John A. and Danielle Balen, her four great grandchildren; Catherine, John "Jack" and Eleanor Kelly and Carter Kaminski, and her sister Dorothy Brant of Stuart, FL. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her four sisters; Anna, Justine, Bernice, and Geraldine, and her two brothers; Anthony and Richard. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 10:00 am at Queen of Peace Church, 910 14 ^th St., North Chicago, IL. Visitation will be at Bradley Funeral Home in North Chicago on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. Burial will be next to her family at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen's memory may be made to the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, 1000 East Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL. 60060, or Freedom Farm for Vets, 13155 W. Hart St., Wadsworth, IL. 60083.