Upon her death, Bader left the bulk of her $100 million fortune as a charitable foundation, dedicated especially to programs in Wisconsin and Israel.

[2] As a child growing up during the Great Depression in a small railroad town on the American prairies,[3] she wasn’t a fan of the frilly dresses that her mother made for her.

[5] Daniels graduated from Aberdeen High School in May 1945, traveling by train to Wisconsin to begin her studies at Milwaukee-Downer College in September of the same year.

[7] In 1950 she first met the man who would later become her husband, Alfred Bader, holder of advanced degrees in chemistry as well as a number of patents in the field.

[8] As their courtship became more serious, Daniels undertook a course of study toward conversion from her upbringing in a Christian Science household to Judaism, in accordance with Alfred's wishes.

[18] In addition, Alfred would often travel to Europe in support of the chemical business, as well as visiting art galleries in search of fine paintings.

[12] According to their director at the time, Thomas Zander, Bader was "one of the most remarkably talented and sensitive students we ever had in terms of her ability to relate to the clients, feel comfortable with them, and advocate for their interests.

[23] Bader became frustrated with the layout of the building, and thus in 1986 was pleased that officials at the Jewish Home were considering the construction of a separate facility specifically for Alzheimer's patients, which could incorporate a more open and flexible floor plan.

[26] In the early 1980s Bader set up a fund in her name with the Jewish Community Foundation in Milwaukee, through which she was able to make anonymous donations to causes about which she felt strongly.

[27] At the end of her life due to cancer in 1989,[28] the bulk of her estate went into the Helen Daniels Bader Charitable Trusts, the disbursement of which was to be directed jointly by her sons.

[30] People who had known Helen as a modest person were astonished to learn of this $100 million legacy, intended to benefit worthy causes in Milwaukee as well as Israel.

[34] During the period 1992–2021, some $400 million was awarded,[34] benefiting a range of areas, including Alzheimer’s & aging, arts, employment, youth, and Jewish education.