1.3.1.6.7.2.4 Helen Mae Kessler Seelhorst
(b: 5 Jul 1929-d: 22 Jun 1979 Baltimore, Md)
Helen was the fourth child and third daughter of Edgar F. Kessler Sr. and Elizabeth Moore. She was born on 5 Jul 1929, only a few months before the stock market crash in October of that year.
In the 1930 US Census conducted in Apr of that year, the family lived at 1824 W. Raynor Ave, Baltimore City, Md. The family consisted of Edgar Kessler 33 (painter), Elizabeth 24, Clara 7, Edgar Jr. 5, Margaret 3, Helen 8/12, and Elizabeth’s mother Annie E. Stewart 72.
Ten years later, according to the 1940 US Census, the family lived at 829 W. Cross Street, Baltimore City, Md. Edgar, age 40, was working as a paperhanger. Elizabeth was 32 years old, and the children were: Clara 17, Edgar Jr. 16, Margaret 13, Helen 10, Dorothy 9, George 4, and Charles 2.
Helen married Herman Seelhorst (27 Dec 1922-31 Jul 1994) sometime before son Herman Jr. was born in 1949.
There is no entry in the 1950 U.S. Census for Helen. However, there is an entry for Herman. He was living with his mother and siblings at 1515 Abbotston St. in Baltimore, where his family had lived for over twenty years. Helen and Herman’s oldest son, Herman Jr., who was born in November 1949, is included in the Seelhorst family census entry. Herman’s marital status at the time indicated that he and Helen were “separated”. They eventually reconciled and in addition to Herman Jr., had three additional children:
- Herman ‘Butch’ Marina Seelhorst Jr. (29 Nov 1949)
- Michael Wesley Seelhorst (1 Nov 1951-22 May 2018)
- Patricia ‘Patty’ A. Seelhorst BALL (23 Mar 1954), mother of Feather Monique Seelhorst Coberly (5 Feb 1978)
- Marie Donna Seelhorst (28 Dec 1961-29 Apr 2020), mother of Tammy Lynn Deetz (Nov 1989)
Herman spent his entire career working for the Baltimore City Sanitation Department.
Personal Note: My family (Thomas Kessler) and the Seelhorst family were very close. We visited often. The family lived near Patterson Park in East Baltimore. Sometimes we visited their home and other times they visited our home on Furrow Street in SW Baltimore. I have fond memories of Aunt Helen, Uncle Herman, and all the Seelhorst children. The oldest, Butch, was a little reclusive. When we visited their home, he would retreat to his room and stay there until we left. Michael was very talkative and engaged. He was smart and we often discussed many things. Patty was also fun and engaged during our visits. She and I were the same age, and I have fond memories of all of us “hanging out” together. Marie was the baby of the family and was a little shy when she was young. From my perspective, I have wonderful memories of our family get-togethers. It seems like it was just yesterday.
