Helen E. Schmidt

Helen E. Schmidt, age 92, of Menasha. God answered mom’s prayers and took her to Heaven on Sunday, October 14, 2012. She was married to our dad, Harvey, 73 years ago on this day. They are celebrating together in Heaven. Helen was born in a small house on a hill in Dale, Wisconsin, on January 19, 1920, the youngest of five children to the late Frank and Adeline (Sommers) Zitske. She met Harvey while working for his family, and they married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Dale, Wisconsin, on October 14, 1939. Harvey preceded her in death on February 15, 2002. Helen was a charter member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Menasha, Wisconsin. She was a very loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her strong Christian faith and her great love for her family were very important to her. Growing flowers and keeping a beautiful yard brought her great joy. She made wonderful apple pies and the best sweet rolls which she generously shared with her family. Harvey and Helen sold vegetables and Christmas trees for many years at their home on Appleton Road in Menasha. She started working at Morton Drug Store in Neenah at the soda fountain where her pies were a favorite with customers. She then worked at Gilbert Paper Company in Menasha for over 25 years retiring in 1979. Helen will be missed by her loving children: Karen Lorge, Dorothy (Len) Paulowski, Roger (Ann) Schmidt; 7 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren: Rick (Kerri) Lorge, Aubrey and Chandler; Kris (Tim) Mielke, Gracie and Kenzie; Debbie (Rev. Charles) Westra, Andy, Abby, Adam, and Caleb; Doug Paulowski, Nikki, Travis, Drake, and Lynsay; Derek (Cori) Paulowski, Callie and Connor; Brian (Katie) Schmidt; Kelly (Barrett) Miller, Kayla, Kendra, Kiera and Bryson. She was also preceded in death by two sisters: Mary (Rob) Pietz and Erna (Silas) Walker; two brothers: Fred (Della) Zitske and Leon (Arbutus) Zitske; and her son-in-law, Eddie Lorge.