Helena (Helen), daughter of Nicholas Recktenwald and Elisabeth Weiand, was born on 19 July 1865 in Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. The 1866 birth year on both her tombstone and obituary is incorrect. That year and date of birth would have been only 4 ½ months before the birth of her sister. The Archdiocese of Saint Paul was unable to locate her baptismal record.

About 1868, when Helen was a young child, the Recktenwalds moved to St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota for about a year and a half. In 1869, the family moved to a farm in Hartford Township, Todd County, Minnesota. This is where Helen grew up.

On 26 November 1883, Helen (age 18) married James Henry Taylor (age 23), son of John Taylor and Anary[?] Brandt in St. Cloud. (Minnesota Official Marriage System,1850-2019) Both Helen’s & James’ obituaries give the wrong year for the marriage. Helen’s obituary has 1888 and James’ obituary has 1884. The couple had 4 children in St. Cloud. Two of the children were Alma and Caroline. Two other children apparently died in infancy.

About 1897, the family moved from St. Cloud to Melrose, Stearns County, Minnesota. Two more children were born in Melrose – Dolores and Robert.

Helen (age 49) died on 15 March 1915 in Melrose. Her obituary reads: “MRS. TAYLOR PASSES AWAY. Mrs. James Taylor of this city passed out of this life into the great beyond, on Monday, March 15th at her home in this city after a lingering illness. She was surrounded by her many friends and relatives and the demise was easy. Mrs. Taylor was born in Shakopee, Minn. on July 19, 1866 [1865], having resided in this state a greater share of her life. She was formerly Miss Helen Rechtenwald and was united in marriage to Mr. Jas. Taylor in St. Cloud, on the 26th of November, 1888 [1883] some 31 or 32 years ago. She is survived by her husband, and four children, Mrs. Fred Cannon, Sister Prudentia, Dolores and Robert Taylor. Of her immediate family there were two brothers and five sisters. Mrs. Taylor was of a loving disposition and heart felt consolation is extended to the bereaved family by the many of this community.”

Helen is buried in Saint Patrick Cemetery in Melrose. After Helen’s death, her husband, James, married Helen O’Laughlin. James died 15 April 1930 in St. Cloud. He was buried at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Melrose next to his first wife, Helen Recktenwald Taylor.
Bio by K. O’Brien