Obit: Helm, Walter Edward #2 (1931 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Helm, Garbisch, Spry, Schwanz, Bolin, Marino

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI.) June 27, 2007

Helm, Walter Edward (June 16, 1931 - June 19, 2007)

Walter E. Helm, 76, of Chili, died on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 in the old farmhouse on the land that he loved. He was a true steward of the land, he enjoyed maple syrup season and making nesting boxes for countless bluebirds.

Walter Edward Helm was born on June 16, 1931 to Louis and Adelia (Garbisch) Helm. He was raised on the home farm on the corner of Hwy 10 and Co. W and attended Poplar Grove Zion Parochial School. He graduated from Granton High School in 1949. He farmed, drove truck and was assistant mail carrier at Granton Post Office until entering the military service. He served with the 503rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was stationed in Austria from 1952 until he was discharged in 1954. He then attended the UW Ag short course in Madison. On Dec. 27, 1959 he married Beverly Spry at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Chili. In the spring of 1960 they purchased the farm on which they still reside. At one time he served as assessor for the Town of Lynn and served in many positions at Zion Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Scott (Joan) Helm and a grandson, Derek, of Chili; daughters, Heidi (Christ) Schwanz and grandchildren Nathan, Ryan, Bradley, Zachary and Joy of Amherst; Marilyn (Tom) Bolin and grand-daughters, Grace and Laura, of Willmar, MN; and Emily (Bob) Marino, of Antioch, IL. He is also survived by brothers, Roland (Beverly) Helm, of Cedarburg, WI; and Eldon (Doreen) Helm, of Granton; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Walter in death were his parents; a brother, Norman; and a granddaughter, Jessica.

Funeral services for Walter were held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Granton. Walter’s son-in-law, Pastor Chris Schwanz officiated. Providing music was Caroline Helm, organist. Burial was in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military rites were accorded by the Neillsville Veterans Council.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.

The Gesche Funeral Home of Neillsville assisted the family with arrangements.