Helen Cloud, age 85, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed on February 6, 2014 at The Heritage Assisted Living Center following a brief illness. Helen was born in Los Angeles, California on August 5, 1928 to the late Clarence and Myrtle (Leak) Kiech. After graduation from South Pasadena High School, Helen attended Colorado College where she met her husband to be, Dan Cloud. At Colorado College Helen was a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, an affiliation she maintained throughout her life through the Theta Fox Cities Alumnae Association Chapter.

Helen and her family moved to Appleton in January of 1953 after Dan and his father purchased the local Buick dealership. Although she carried the title of Vice President of Cloud Buick Company, being a full-time mom to her three children was her real vocation and the family used to joke that Helen's primary job responsibility at the dealership was addressing the invitations to the annual employee Christmas party. Cloud Buick and Honda was sold upon Dan's retirement in 1996 after 43 years in the business.

Helen was a member of the Charity Circle of King's Daughters, served on the Board of the Red Cross, and volunteered for the "Meals on Wheels" program. In addition, she was a longtime member of the First Congregational UCC Church in Appleton as well as Butte des Morts Country Club. One of the great loves of her life was card games, in particular Bridge, at which she was an accomplished player.

Helen was preceded in death by Dan just this last November after 66 years of marriage. She is survived by her three children: Steve (Joanne) Cloud, Appleton, Kathy (Dennis) Stadler, Appleton, and Scott Cloud, Huntington Beach, California; four granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her two younger sisters, Marilyn Kiech Kirk (SPHS '51) Salem, Oregon and Lorna Kiech Wallen (SPHS '55), San Marino, California.

Appleton Post-Crescent, February 9, 2014