Helen Adele Burton, adopted daughter of John Russell (1871-1937) and Edith Elizabeth (Kenney) Burton, was born 8 March 1910 in Illinois.  Helen's adopted mother, Edith, born 29 August 1870 in Canada, died 30 May 1913 in Illinois.  Helen and her father went to live with widowed aunt Adele Hawthorne, John's sister, in Kane County, Illinois.  After graduation from Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois, Helen met her future husband while teaching math at Belvidere, Illinois.  Irving James Breckenfeld and Helen were married 9 September 1933 in Lake County, Indiana.

Irving, born 22 November 1905 Racine County, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Kirksville College of Osteopathy.  He practiced in Edina, Missouri, 1939-1948, before moving to Okemos and opening a practice in 1948.  Irving retired in 1973.  Helen and Irving had 3 sons; James, Robert and William.  Helen taught math at Okemos High School 1964-1974.

After Irving's retirement from medical practice the couple owned and operated the 1849 House Antique Shop in Okemos.  Both were exceptionally active in local affairs.  Her family were members of the Okemos Community Church and Helen was a member of O.E.S. #267, P.E.O., Womens Club, Lansing General Hospital Auxillary, Okemos Historical Society and the Lansing Area Antique Dealers Association.

Irving died 7 September 1981.  Helen died 22 March 1989.  Both were interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.