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Trewartha, Helen Lorraine

Helen Lorraine Trewartha, age 91, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2018.

She was born in Palmer, Michigan on May 17, 1927. She was a graduate of Neillsville High School in 1944 and received her BS in Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in 1949. Helen then taught English at Plymouth High School, Manawa High School, and Waupaca High School. After raising her three children and being caregiver to many young children, Helen went back to teaching English at Little Wolf High School for 23 years where she was affectionately known as Ma Prochnow. Helen loved bridge and the arts, attending the Attic Theater and the Performing Arts Center in Green Bay and Appleton. She was also a gifted writer, keeping journals most of her life. Helen was a faithful volunteer at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, delivering books to residents. She was a relentless reader and keeper of books and family history. Helen was a lover of cats, dogs, houseplants and most of all her family. In her later years Helen was an avid member of the Waupaca Senior Center, attending classes daily. In recent years Helen resided at Bethany Home where she endeared herself to the staff.

Helen is survived by her son, Gary and his wife Julie Prochnow, Waupaca, their daughter, Rikki and her husband Rick Thyssen, Waupaca, and their children Alex and Melanie, and by daughter, Michelle and her husband Kody Thorn, Fremont; by her daughter, Lee and her husband Bill Schultz, St Paul, MN, their daughter Eliza and her husband Adam Pope, St. Paul, MN, and their children, Mina and Orrin, and son Maxel Schultz and his partner Nina Cardinale, Minneapolis, MN; by her daughter, Judy and her husband Douglas Reach, Waupaca, and their children Lindsey, Megan, and Austin. Helen is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Jo Trewartha and Ellen Trewartha, many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marjorie and Harold Trewartha; two brothers, Donnie and Lowell Trewartha; and former husband, Bob Prochnow.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI. A memorial fund has been established in Helen’s name. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

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