Karen Helz of Roswell, Georgia, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on May 24, 2016 at Halcyon Hospice of Atlanta after living with pancreatic cancer for the last two years. She was 69 years old.
Karen was born on March, 3, 1947 in Oak Park, Illinois to Constance and Arlein Wicks and grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas.
In 1969, Karen graduated from St. Olaf College (Minnesota), where she met her husband of 47 years, William Helz. They were married on August 31, 1969. Karen went on to earn her master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin in 1970.
Karen and Bill dedicated their careers to the teaching of English as a second language initially through the Peace Corps in Thailand and subsequently in other countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen and the U.S. Personally and professionally, Karen's life was very much focused on the furthering of international peace and understanding.
Karen is survived by her husband, Bill, and their daughters Maya Pack, Kristin Helz and Katrina Helz, sons-in-law Vince Pack and Matthew Delicata and grandsons Jonah Pack and Julian and Elliot Helz Delicata. Karen is also survived by her sister Arlinda Klempin and nieces Serena and Bonnie Klempin.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 30, 2016 at the Northside Chapel at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia.
The service will be officiated by Rev. Bill Davis of Minneapolis, a long-time friend of the Helz family and husband of Karen's college friend Meredith Davis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Karen's memory to one of the following charities which represent causes with which she felt deeply connected.
International Women's Health Coalition: https://iwhc.org/
333 Seventh Avenue 6th Floor
New York, NY 10001 USA

Islamic Relief USA: http://irusa.org/yemen/
P.O. Box 22250
Alexandria, VA 22304 USA