Norma J Helke

Norma Jane Helke, 93, of La Crosse, died on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the Bethany Riverside Nursing facility in La Crosse. She was born in La Crosse to Sivert and Hilda (Nelson) Hetland. She married Edward Helke in La Crosse on May 3, 1941 and he preceded her in death on September 13, 1968. Norma was a lifelong member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church in La Crosse, having been baptized and confirmed there. Her professional life included work as a legal secretary at Johns Flaherty and Gillette Law firm, an organ teacher at Leithold Music and secretary for Jim Grennison at Coulee Claims.

She is survived by her son Joel (Elizabeth) Helke of North Bethesda, MD. several nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers Russell and Stanley and two sisters Malinda Roehrl and Ella Johnson.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Tom Meyer will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Thursday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the service time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Coulee Region Humane Society or the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Bethany Riverside for the wonderful care they provided Norma during her stay.