Helen Comnick of Menahga, MN passed away peacefully at 3:08 PM on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at the age of 96. Helen was born on March 18, 1930 to Frederick and Kathryn Bluhm of Ogden, IL. Helen was the 6th of 7 children, Emma, Anna, Ernest, Alvin (Kelly), Irene and Herb and the last surviving sibling.

Helen was baptized on April 3, 1930 at St John Lutheran Church in Royal, IL, and confirmed on March 25, 1945. She was raised on the family farm. Helen attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA receiving her BA (class of 1953). It was there that she met and fell in love with Russel E Comnick (class of 1952), of Westbrook, MN. They were married on September 10th, 1954 in Royal, IL. Russell went on to become an ordained minister with the ALC (now ELCA). Helen served with him for many years, acting as church secretary, organist, choir director, and teacher, in addition to raising 4 children, Grant, Jeanne, Anne, and Mark.

The Comnick family had a number of relocations, but the one constant was the “cabin” on the lower Twin Lake in Menahga, MN, where the family would vacation every summer. Eventually Russ and Helen would enlarge the cabin and live there during their retirement years and were active members of the Twin Lakes association. Helen remained active in the church, loved reading, nature, music and dancing with Russ. She was also a great cook. Sadly, not long after retirement, Russ became ill and passed away in November, 2000 at the age of 72. Helen deeply missed her partner and soulmate for these 26 years. She is now, finally, reunited with Russ and in the loving care of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Helen is survived by her son Grant Comnick (Beth) of North Ridgeville, OH and grandchildren Ian (Masha), Tessa (Nate), and Isaiah (Katherine); Jeanne Comnick-Clay (Joel) of Greenfield, MN, grandchildren Nathan (Elsa) with great-granddaughter Stella and Caitlin (Dustin) with great-grandsons Theo and Russell; Anne Bailey (Ed) of Graham, WA, 2 grandsons Marc (Christy), Ryan and great grandson Boaz; and Mark Comnick ‘90 (Vicki Baderschneider ‘90) of Traverse City, MI, and two grandchildren Cari and Ben..

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 29, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church, Royal with Pastor Vic Baderschneider and and Pastor Emil Blobaum officiating. Burial will follow in Stanton Friends Cemetery, St. Joseph.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran World Relief (www.lwr.com).