Helmrichs, Violet Fern 1928-2009

HELMRICHS, WITT, KALLSEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/17/2009 at 12:42:17

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, July 16, 2009

Violet Helmrichs, 81, of rural Ireton, died Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City.

Violet Fern Helmrichs was born May 13, 1928, on the family farm near Akron, the daughter of Jesse H. and Lorena (Witt) Kallsen. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith at St. John Lutheran Church, Preston Township. She attended country school in Ruble. She later attended high school in Akron and later in Le Mars. She graduated from Le Mars Central High School in Le Mars in 1945. She received her teaching certificate in short order during World War II and began teaching country school in Preston Township at the age of 17.

She was united in marriage to LuVerne Helmrichs June 12, 1949, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township. She continued teaching for a short time before becoming a homemaker for her family on the farm. Violet and LuVerne farmed on several homesteads in Plymouth County through the years until settling on farm near Ireton. She and LuVerne had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Violet was lifetime member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, where she was Sunday school teacher and Bible school teacher for many years. She was also involved in the Women's Circle for many years.

She enjoyed playing cards and was active in several card clubs. She and LuVerne enjoyed square dancing. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her husband of more than 60 years, LuVerne of rural Ireton; a son, Dave Helmrichs and his wife Linda of Des Moines; a daughter: Mary Henry of Council Bluffs; five grandchildren: Bradly Helmrichs and his fiancée Pam Van Otterloo of Hospers, Christopher Helmrichs and his wife Laura and their daughter, Braelyn of Le Mars, Nicole Henry and her son, Damien O'Neill of Council Bluffs, Brittany Henry of Kingsley and Michael Henry of Kingsley; two sisters: Phyllis Callahan of Fillmore, Calif., and Norma Jean Borchers and her husband Wendell of rural Akron; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law: Henry and Tina (Hartman) Helmrichs; two sisters, Evelyn Boetger and Lois Lias; a brother: Clarence Kallsen; four brothers-in-law: Charles Swift, Pat Callahan, Ray Boetger, and Harvey Lias; and a sister-in-law, Arlene Kallsen.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron. The Rev. Sarah Nye will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. Friday with the family present after 6 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church.