Service Details
Mass of Christian Burial for Helen will be held at St. Richard Catholic Church, 1503 Grand Avenue, Racine, WI., on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:00AM. Visitation will be at Draeger Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mt. Pleasant, WI., on Sunday, January 19, from 4:00PM – 6:00PM, and Monday at St. Richard’s from 10:00AM until the time of Mass.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Richard Catholic Church and the Racine Zoo.
Helen (Elena) Castañeda of Racine, Wisconsin passed away on January 7, 2025, with her loving family by her side. She was 95 years old. Helen was born to parents Crisoforo and Clotilde Juarez on August 11, 1929, in Racine, Wisconsin – a matriarch as the first Mexican American child born in Racine.
After graduating from St Catherine’s High School, Helen was employed by Johnson Wax in the clerical pool. She enjoyed reading, listening to music and dancing. On weekends there were dancing halls featuring orchestral bands that played Latino music. Her brother was a musician in one of these bands and she occasionally went along with her aunt to his performances. She met her future husband and favorite dance partner, Jimmy Castañeda, at one of these dances. They were married in Racine at Holy Name (now St. Richards) in 1951.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Helen and Jimmy spent many years working with recently arriving Hispanic immigrants for the Catholic Missions at St. Lucy’s Church. On November 7, 2013, they were awarded Hispanic Family of the Year from the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). They also taught their friends and children to dance Mexican folk dances, and they performed on stages throughout Racine County. Helen continued to teach her students these dances throughout her teaching career.
After having nine children, Helen went back to school and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1975. In 1977 she became the first Bilingual Administrator of Racine Unified School District. While working, she continued her studies to complete her master’s degree in early childhood Bilingual Education in 1987. She was an active member and one-time president of the Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE). Helen was a dedicated educator with the school districts of Racine and Kenosha, working for nearly 30 years at each district. Throughout her life, Helen was dedicated to the Racine community. She has volunteered through The Volunteer Center of Racine – Weekly Reader program, the Racine Heritage Museum at the 1880 schoolhouse (where she discovered that she was the first Hispanic born in Racine), RAM’s Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Racine Zoo. She also served with St. Joseph’s and St. Rita’s Parishes as a lector and lay minister. Helen was also an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). After Helen and Jimmy retired, they traveled around the world, visiting many countries over the years. While they were in their 80’s, they were winning dance contests on cruise ships. Helen expressed that she felt privileged for her traveling opportunities. She passed on her love of learning and the arts to her children by bringing them to the library on a regular basis, teaching them traditional dances, exposing them to cultural events and the arts, and encouraging them to travel. Helen lived a long and fulfilling life and will be missed by all.
Helen M. Castañeda is survived by her nine children; Marie Christina Castañeda (Greg Padgett) of Wind Point, WI., Robert Castañeda of Racine, WI., David Castañeda (Kathy Floch-Castañeda) of Racine, WI., Tony Castañeda of Madison, WI., Lucy Castañeda Esterson (Scott Esterson) of Agora Hills, CA., Patricia Castañeda Tucker (Michael J. Tucker) of Madison, WI., Tim Castañeda of Ocala, FL., Mark Castañeda (Priti Misra-Castañeda) of Dania Beach, FL., and Laura Castañeda of Oak Creek, WI., her 25 beloved grandchildren, and 27 adorable great-grandchildren. Helen is preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years; James P. Castañeda, her parents; Crisoforo and Clotilde Juarez, and her brother, Ygnacio Juarez.
Elsa Molina says
We didn’t meet up much but , When we did I found it very interesting, going to miss you Helen much love to you and my cousins
Much love Elsa Molina
Jesus Garcia Jr. says
You will always be an inspiration and a true trailblazer to the Latino community. We celebrate your rebirth in heaven. May God bless you.
Ronaldo salinas says
Hugs n luv to the family. Helena was an amazing person. She lived a long adventurous n remarkable life. I still picture her n chago dancing arm in arm on a moonlit night on a cabo beach hotel deck. Luv n tenderness Ronaldo
“Like the tempest she shakes the earth beneath us n the sky above us”. Kahlil Gibran
Mario & Shelley Molina says
We will always have sweet memories of Jimmy & Helen dancing at our family celebrations.
Our condolences to the Castaneda family. We are sorry for your loss.
Love, Mario & Shelley
Sandee Ortiz says
“In loving memory of Aunt Helen, whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of everyone she met. Her laughter and wisdom will forever remain in our hearts. Though she may no longer be with us, her spirit and love will continue to inspire and guide us.
Rest in peace, Aunt Helen.”
Feel free to modify it to better reflect your feelings and memories.
Carmen Espinosa aka Kiki says
My deepest condolences to a wonderful, loving family. You made awesome memories with Helen and took great care of her. She always spoke fondly of how wonderful you all were to her in these past years. I hope these good memories of her will live on through you. Sending my love. In unity.
Mark Stanton says
Ms. Castaneda was a great woman and matriarch to a great family! What an extraordinary life she lived, she has earned her wings. She was one of those people that made you better just for knowing her. My condolences to all of the Castaneda’s. May her spirit remain in your hearts.
Kelly and Raquel Palacios says
Our condolences to the Castañeda family. We will celebrate her life and memory.
Elizabeth( Libby) Cape says
To the Castaneda family, I’m SO sorry you lost Helen. RIP
Libby Cape class of 1970 at Saint Catherines
Crystal Salinas says
To know Helen or to all of us( who respected our elders, Mrs.Castaneda 🥴) was to always feel the sense of love and family. I never will forget the one time at Laura’s house warming. Mrs.C sat at the table and was talking to me about being in school and working and how I said I was stressing. She was basically listening to me vent. She said you can do it, I did it because no man was going to tell me what to do. I looked at her and she smiled and gave me a wink. I know she loved Mr. C but she never stayed away from telling us woman we were strong! Love to the entire Castañeda family from our family !
Nino Castaneda says
I love you grandma
Linda Malacara Perez says
My sincere condolences.
She was a great lady. Linda Malacara Perez
Beverly and Dexter Handy says
We share the sadness and loss of Mrs. Castaneda. We wish for the memories of all the good times to last forever and help soothe the grief and sadness of today. May God Bless her family and friends.
Katherine Roberson says
Both Helen and Jimmy are missed at Home Harbor. We are so grateful for the opportunity we had to have them live with us in their last days. What a blessing they both were, touching so many other residents’ lives as they shared and modeled such a beautiful relationship and legacy.
Sending sincere condolences and lots of love to their beloved family and friends.