Surnames: Helmke, Zimmerman, Hansen, Bender, Grosse, Zander, Buhmeyer

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday, 3 Sept. 2001

Helmke, Otto D. (4 Mar. 1923 - 31 Aug. 2001)

UNITY, WIS. - Otto D. Helmke, age 78, of 250 Washington in Unity, Wisconsin, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2001.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Gunderson West Funeral Home, 7345 University Ave. (near Parmenter St.) Middleton and from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.

He was born March 4, 1923, the son of Otto and Emma (Zimmerman) Helmke in the town of March Rapids. Otto married Lorraine L. Hansen in 1942 who preceded him in death in 1972. Otto married Bonnie Bender in 1973.

He graduated from Marshfield High School in 1941. Otto was a member of the Tri-County Antique Car Club, a volunteer fireman, he belonged to the Colby VFW, Unity American Legion and was a World War II veteran.

Otto is survived by his wife, Bonnie Helmke, of Unity; seven children, Joan (David) Grosse of Waunakee, Joel (fiancée Karen) Helmke of Waunakee, Linda (Walter) Zander of Medford, Edward (Sheila) Helmke of Cross Plains, Gary Helmke of Middleton, Pat (Glenda) Buhmeyer of Beloit and Michael (Teri Buhmeyer) of Janesville; and 15 grandchildren.