Helbach, Fern

Fern Helbach, of Waupaca, age 92, passed away on Friday, November 12, 2010, at Riverside Medical Center. She was born in Waupaca, on October 4, 1918, to the late Paul and Marie (Radley) Jensen. On April 11, 1942 she married Harold G. Helbach at the St. Patrick Rectory, Portage Co.; he preceded her in death on August 28, 1961. Fern was the first female bus driver hired for the Waupaca School District; she was a maintenance worker for the Veterans Home in King for 10 years and also a life-long homemaker. She was a devoted member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, where she was longtime member of the Ladies Sodality. She served as president for three years, secretary for eight years and helped with numerous funeral luncheons. She also served as secretary for many years for St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery Association. Fern was a 32-year charter member of the Waupaca Lioness, receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship award in 1986. She was a 55-year charter member of the Barton Homemakers, was treasurer of the Barton School Board for 4 years, and worked on the Farmington Election Board for many years. Fern was a proud member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an avid baker, reader and deer hunter, getting her first deer at the age of 75. She will be sadly missed by her sons: Richard, Victor and Bruce (Nancy), all of Waupaca; grandchildren: Harold (Lisa) of Graford, TX, Mark (Christine) and Carolee Rilling of Waupaca, Wendy (Dan Herda) Helbach of Burlington, James and Daniel, both of Waupaca; great-grandchildren: Ashleigh, Alexander and Amber Helbach, Eric, Benjamin and Jacob Rilling, Amber Ayres, Olivia and Jerame Tooman, Lucas Herda, Cole and Blake Helbach, Hayden Nelson and Cecelia Helbach, sister: Alice (Lewis) Hansen, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by sisters: Mildred Smith and Marilyn Stedman and brothers: Clyde and Carrol Jensen. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, with Father Brian Belongia officiating. The visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Maple Crest Funeral Home and again on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the church or to the Lions Camp in Rosholt in Fern’s name.