Lois Arlene (Spencer) Helmke, went to heaven on September 12, 2026, at the age of 81. She loved, trusted, and followed Jesus Christ who gave His life for her and rose again to give her the victory over death which she now is experiencing in heaven.
Lois was born to Cecil and Frances (Norden) Spencer on March 15, 1945, in Woodburn, Indiana. She was baptized April 8, 1945, and confirmed on March 22, 1959, at Christ Lutheran Church, Woodburn. Her confirmation verse was Nahum 1:7. She attended Christ Lutheran Grade School, Woodlan High School, and Ivy Tech, and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She married “the love of her life”, Dick Helmke, on August 11, 1963. Their wedding verse was “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15), and God blessed their marriage with a son, Matthew K. Helmke and a daughter, Annette (Rev. James) Keller; grandchildren, Gwendolyn (Clinton) Bienz, Peter (Josephana) Keller, Felicia (August) Say, Parker (Katelyn) Keller, MaryJane (Moe) Sheh, Glory (Jacob) Handshoe, Jessica Keller, Elizabeth Keller, Anna Keller, and Timothy (Lily) Christian; and great-grandchildren, Elijah, RosaJoy, and Frederick Bienz, Adena Keller, Augustine Say, Zedekiah and Zemira Keller, and Zipporah, Naomi, and Polly Sheh. She is survived by her brother, Wayne (Sherry) Spencer. God also blessed Lois with many nephews and nieces, grand-nephews and grand-nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; and sister, Bonnie Yenser.
Lois was a homemaker and helper to Dick on the farm as well as a nurse. She used these skills to assist many Burmese people and served many bowls of ramen noodles to hungry Sunday school students at New Life Lutheran Church. Two of her greatest joys were eating mulberries with her cousins and welcoming people to her big table for Saturday night suppers.
The family would like to thank the staff of Golden Years Homestead, Inc. for their loving care of Lois.
A funeral service celebrating Lois's life will be 11:00 am on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, 4412 Park Street, Woodburn, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Lois will be laid to rest at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Woodburn.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Lutheran Church, Lutheran Agency for Missions to Burmese (LAMB), Children of Liberia, or Worship Anew.
Hockemeyer Funeral Home, Harlan is caring for arrangements. Condolences and memories of Lois may be left online at www.hockemeyerfuneralhome.com
