La Vonne Gretchen (Telkamp) HELMKE

HELMKE, TELKAMP, FURST, BLACKMAN, JELACIC, LIPPOLT, REED, NELSON, SCHNELL, WILSON, SHUFFORD, LENZ

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/2/2012 at 12:14:31

August 30, 1922 --- March 30, 2012

RENWICK - La Vonne Gretchen Helmke, the daughter of Edward and Anna (Furst) Telkamp, was born on August 30, 1922, in Lakota, Iowa. She attended rural schools in Kossuth and Hamilton Counties and graduated from Algona High School with a teaching certificate. La Vonne then attended summer school at Wheaton and Iowa State Teacher's Colleges. She taught in Kossuth County and Vernon Consolidated.

On October 19, 1946, La Vonne was united in marriage with Norman B. Helmke, in Algona and to this union five children were born: Norman L., Linda, Allan, Janine and Jo Ann. La Vonne was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church- serving as a Sunday school teacher and held various offices on the church council. She served as a Cluster Coordinator of the ELCA, a 4-H leader and was a member of the B.T.W women's club. La Vonne was employed by the Clarion Hospital for 18 years on the night shift as a Nursing Aid. La Vonne spent hours knitting, crocheting, embroidering, gardening, reading and babysitting grandchildren.

La Vonne passed away on Friday, March 30, 2012, at Windsor Manor in Webster City, at the age of 89 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman B. Helmke; parents, Edward and Anna Telkamp; sister, Naomi Blackman; son-in-law, Jon F. Jelacic; granddaughter and her husband, Andrea (Lippolt) and Michael Reed and great-granddaughter, Isabel Reed. Survivors include her children: Norman L. (Cindy) Helmke of Marion, Linda Jelacic of Minneapolis, MN, Allan (Rita) Helmke of Eagle Grove, Janine (Roger) Nelson of Decorah and Jo Ann (William) Schnell of Webster City; grandchildren: Beth (Mark) Wilson, Lance Helmke, Jeremy (Cathy) Helmke, Lara Helmke, Matthew (Crystal) Helmke, Kyle Nelson, Joshua (Mandy) Lippolt, Logan Nelson, Alaina Helmke, Samantha Helmke and Kaden Helmke; great-grandchildren: Emily Wilson, Noelle Wilson, Alexander Wilson, Azure Helmke, Zoe Helmke, Wesley Helmke, Imani Shufford and Odin Helmke; Special friends, Carol Helmke of Eagle Grove and Dennis Lippolt of Hardy; sister, Ruth (Wayne) Lenz of Harmony, MN; brother, Edward Telkamp and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Renwick with Pastor Lynn Noel officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Goldfield. Private family burial will be on Elmwood Cemetery, rural Renwick. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.

April 2, 2012
Fort Dodge Messenger -- Iowa