Harold Helmer

Harold H. Helmer, 83, formerly of Oostburg, died early Thursday morning, May 28, 2009 at St. Francis Nursing Home in Fond du Lac with his wife of 65 years by his side and surrounded by his loving family. Harold was born August 12, 1925 in Omar, New York to Floyd and Irene (Russell) Helmer. He grew up in Brownville, New York, where he met his future wife and love of his life in fifth grade. Harold graduated from Brownville-Glen Park High School with the Class of 1942. Harold married Virgiline Scott on October 23, 1943 in a ceremony at the home of her parents, Francis and Margaret (White) Scott. He enlisted in the United States Army as a paratrooper in April 1944 and proudly served his country until March, 1946. Harold and Virgiline moved to Oostburg, Wisconsin in 1949. That is where they chose to raise a family, living there until moving to St. Francis Nursing Home in 2008. Harold attended Milwaukee School of Engineering and then worked as a core maker at State Foundry/Willman Industries in Cedar Grove. He retired in 1987 after more than 38 years of service. Harold had a lifetime love and passion for sports. He was a gifted multi-sport high school athlete who garnered many individual and team awards. He was known as a fiery competitor and fearless third baseman in the Lakeshore Fast Pitch League. Harold was also a member of numerous softball, bowling, golf, card, and billiards leagues. Harold coached Pee-Wee and Cadet Baseball in Oostburg and Gibbsville for many years. Nothing made him feel younger than working with children, and nothing made him smile wider than seeing a child learn to love the game and experience individual success. Harold was an accomplished trumpet player and enjoyed composing his own music. He also enjoyed hobby farming, raising sheep, and gardening. Harold had a very special love for dogs and an extraordinary connection with several special pets - most notably 'Boots', 'Lassie', and 'Silky'. Harold was member of the First Presbyterian Church, Oostburg, where he served in the office as Trustee. He was a proud member of Oostburg Hartman-Lammers American Legion Post 286 and also a lifelong union member in the AFL-CIO. Harold volunteered with Big Brothers of America, Meals on Wheels, and the Boy Scouts of America. Harold's favorite hobby was always his family. He tried to attend each and every event his children and grandchildren were involved in. Under his caring and watchful eye, all were inspired to compete and succeed. Harold lived the simple values he passed on to his children: Work Hard Love Your Family Love Your Country Get a Good Education Expect Much Of Yourself Be an Individual and Make Up Your Own Mind Enjoy Life Laugh Often - and at Yourself Have Compassion and Help Others Less Fortunate Do The Right Thing Because of his expectations and encouragement, all of his children went on to higher education and entered service oriented professions. They learned that you were never poor and always rich if you had a loving, caring, and supportive family. .Harold is survived by his loving wife, Virgiline of Fond du Lac; four children, Val (Bonnie) Helmer, Oostburg; Arlinda (David) Soerens, Fond du Lac; Scott Helmer (Gale Shore), Muskego; and Carol (Don) Erdmann, Algoma. He is further survived by 8 grandchildren: Brett (Heidi) Helmer, Oostburg; Derek (Julie) Helmer, Madison; Kari (Mark) Migacz, Sheboygan Falls; Ross Soerens, Fond du Lac; Justin (Ali) Helmer, Waukesha; Mitchell Helmer, Muskego; Emily Erdmann, Oshkosh; and Parker Erdmann, Algoma. Harold is also survived by 5 great grandchildren: Kasey, Quinn, and Caden Helmer of Oostburg; and Andrew and Erika Migacz of Sheboygan Falls. Holding his newest great granddaughter was always a very special moment for Harold. Harold is survived additionally by his very special sister-in-law, Carolyn Brenon, Sheboygan. He is also survived by her four children, whom he always thought of and treated as his own: Michelle (Robert) Lytle, Golden, CO; Connie (Paul) Bamberger, Grafton; Dale (Irene) Brenon, Overland Park, KS; Peggy Brenon, Arvada, CO. He also considered Jessie Gilham, Milwaukee; and Nicole Ellis, Phoenix, AZ as extra grandchildren. Nora Gilham, Milwaukee was additionally considered another great grand child. Harold also considered Italian foreign exchange student Sergio (Cecilia) Valletti of Milan, as a special 'adopted' grandson. Harold was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Teresa Margaret, and by his parents. Visitation for Harold Helmer will be held from 4-7 on Tuesday at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 7 pm at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg with the Rev. Walter Hackney officiating. Military Honors provided by Hartman-Lammers Post 286 will follow the service. Harold will be cremated following the service and his cremains will be interred at Sunrise Gardens Mausoleum, in the Town of Wilson. Online condolences can be made at www.wenigfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, a Memorial Fund for St. Francis Home has been set up in his name. Contributions can be made to St. Francis Home Employee Appreciation Fund, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Harold's children would like to thank the many special angels at St. Francis Home, Hospice Care and the Hospice Advantage for the skilled extraordinary care he received from their hands and the loving care he received from their hearts. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Helmer family.

Service

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 7:00 PM
Wenig Funeral Home - Oostburg
108 Center Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States