Helen Haney Hull, age 98, died peacefully, surrounded by family members and her beloved daughter Barbara, at Sacred Heart Hospital on Sunday, July 18, 2010.\r\nHelen Emma Stearns was born to Andrew Benjamin and Emma Dollie Stearns on October 27, 1911, in Bronauah, Missouri. She was the fifth of seven children, and grew up in various towns in Missouri and Kansas. \r\nAfter graduating high school, Helen moved to Chicago to live at the YWCA with an older sister, and worked as a secretary to the president of a large downtown grocery store. While in Chicago she met Tom Haney, who worked in Chicago and was moving to Eau Claire, WI, to work for National Pressure Cooker Company. They married on May 14, 1932 in her parent's home, and moved to Eau Claire where they had three children, Thomas Jr., Barbara and Robert. Helen was widowed when Tom died on January 11, 1953.\r\nDuring those years in Eau Claire, Helen was active at the First Congregational Church, teaching religious Day School and serving on various committees. She served on the board of the Visiting Nurse Association, and was active in the Red Cross Gray Ladies, the Boy Scouts, and served as president of the Eau Claire Service League. Helen was a member of the Chippewa Valley Museum, the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club, and was an avid golfer and bridge player. \r\nHelen married Perry Hull in 1964 and they lived in Black River Falls, WI, for 12 years. Helen was president of the Black River Falls Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, was a devoted church member, served as co-chair of the Gift Shop, and was a member of the Tuesday Club. Perry died in May 1976, and she returned to Eau Claire in 1978. \r\nHelen is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Marlyn) Brenden and their three children, Marla (Horace) Garfield, and great-grandchildren Brenden Garfield and Elizabeth Garfield; Mike (Nancy) Brenden; and Betsy (Scott) Radtke and great-grandchildren, Claire, Emma, and Lily Radtke. Also survived by daughter-in-law, Beverly Haney, and her four children, Sheryl (John) Ozmun and great-grandchildren Mandy Ozmun, Jason (Audry), and great-great-grandchild Jackson; Sue (Eric) Gilow and great-grandchildren Michael (Alicia) Gilow, and Nicole Gilow; Tom (Linda) Haney III; and John (Barb) Haney. Daughter-in-law, Ruth Haney and her children, Melissa (Steve Pozanc) and great-granddaughter, Starr Haney; Dan (Jessi) Haney and great-grandchildren, Thomas, Taylor, and Dierks Haney; Phillip (Crystal) Haney. Helen was preceded in death by parents, Andrew and Dollie Stearns; her husbands, Thomas G. Haney, Sr. and Perry M. Hull; two sons, Thomas G. Haney Jr. and Dr. Robert Haney; seven siblings, Hallie (Clyde) Willard, Herbert Stearns, Lorena (Wes) Barnes Sieber, Jessie (Joe) Buscher, Alma (Howard) Norman, Bill (Hazel) Stearns and Dollie (Patrick) Henry; and several nieces and nephews.\r\nFriends may call from 5 to 7 Wednesday, July 21, at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral at 814 First Avenue, or Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. till time of the service. Friends are invited to join family at the committal service in Lake View Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, followed by a celebration memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ at 310 Broadway Street in Eau Claire, WI.\r\nHelen was an extraordinary woman, a true inspiration to those who loved her. She lived every day of her 98 years to the fullest and will be missed by many. \r\nThe family requests memorials be made to First Congregational United Church of Christ, 310 Broadway Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703, or the Chippewa Valley Symphony, 316 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

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