Surnames: Ayer, Wilford, Rahm, Hanson, Dallmann, Johnson, Bloom, Barker, Schultz, Dallman, Bloom

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Friday, 17 Apr. 2009

Ayer, Helen Genevieve (11 May 1922 - 15 Apr. 2009)

UNITY -- Helen Genevieve Ayer died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at her home in Unity, Wis. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity, Wis. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Unity, Wis. The Rev. Dale Wilford will officiate. Pallbearers will be Emery Rahm, Gale Hanson, Jim Dallmann, Ken Johnson, Dennis Bloom and Brian Dallmann.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2009, at the Maurina/Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford, and one hour before the service at the church Monday. Helen was born May 11, 1922, in the town of Unity to John W. and Signe Johnson. She attended and graduated from Unity High School. She attended the Lacrosse Beauty School of Wausau. In 1941, she worked as a beautician in Woodruff. She moved back to central Wisconsin and worked as a beautician in Spencer in 1942. One year later, she purchased the shop and became the owner/operator.

Helen was married to Melvin W. Ayer on Oct. 14, 1944. They took up residence in the town of Unity, Wis. There, she helped her husband run a family farm. In 1962, she opened Helen's Beauty Shoppe in rural Unity, Wis. In 1968, Helen and Melvin moved to Colby, where she was the owner/operator of Helen's Style Shop. She retired from that position in 1971. With her husband, she ran Ayer's Supermarket and Meat Processing of Unity, Wis. Together, they operated the store until 1981.

Helen and Melvin raised four boys, Warren, Bob, Doug and Brad. Together, they enjoyed life on Pier Lake in the summer and in Unity during the winter. She was an avid bowler, quilter, square dancer, fisherman and gardener. She especially enjoyed visits from her family and friends. Helen and Melvin celebrated 60 years of marriage together in 2004. Helen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school and served on many committees.

Helen is survived by her four sons, Warren (Debbie) of Fremont, Robert (Roxanne) of Columbus, Douglas (Judy) of Merrill, and Bradley (Jane) of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Jeff (Arlene) and great-grandchild Autumn of Forest Lake, Minn., Annette (Jared) Barker of Green Bay, Ashley (Nick) Schultz of Columbus, Danielle of Stevens Point, Scott and John of Merrill, and Ryan of Clear Lake. She is also survived by her sisters, Verna Dallman of Unity and Eileen Dallman of Holcombe; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, in 2005; her parents, Signe and John Johnson; a brother, Walter; and a sister, Vivian Bloom.