A loving mother, grandmother, and friend was lost to us on June 15, 2012.

Helen Boardman, 78, of Genoa, WI died of smoke inhalation after a fire devastated the home she shared with her son and caregiver, Steve Boardman.

Born Elena Concepcion Teresa Maitelletto on July 11^{th 1933 in Nogales, Arizona to Augusto and Virginia (Levya) Maitelletto. Her father being of Italian descent (Turin, Italy) and mother of Mexican descent (Sonora, Mexico) would later decide that to allow their children a better future they would “Americanize” their names – thus Helen Concepcion (Martell) Boardman is the woman we had all come to know and love.}

In 1945 the family moved to San Francisco, CA. It was there that she would meet the sailor of her dreams Harley Dean Boardman. On May 7th 1955 they were married in San Francisco by a municipal judge. In their 48 years of marriage Helen and Dean traveled, lived, and loved. They called home to Northern CA for many years. In 1972 she and her family moved back to Genoa, WI to run the family fish market.

California Dreamin’ came again in 2000 where they took residence in Santa Maria, CA. During a visit to Wisconsin and the family home there was a tragic accident that took the life of her husband Harley Dean in May of 2003. Helen moved back to Genoa in 2006 to live out the remainder of her days.

She lived simply and loved wholly.

Proceeding Helen in death was her love and her life Harley Dean.

Helen is survived by her three children, Virginia Bulawa of Onalaska, WI, Patrick and Sandy (Farrell) Boardman of New Albin, IA, and Steven Boardman of Genoa. Grandchildren, Lyndell and Lacey Alton, Dustin and Ashley Boardman; and great-grandchildren Jorian Miller, Layne Schmitz, Brayden Kelpps, Sierra Boardman and Nathan Boardman. Many loving family and friends in California.

Helen’s last wishes were to be cremated and join her husband in eternal rest at sea. Contributions are welcome to help her achieve her wish.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 29, 2012 at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason Street Onalaska.  A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until the service at the funeral home.