Dorothy L. Helke

Dorothy L. Helke, 94, formerly of Stoddard, WI, died on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center. She was born on December 30, 1919 in Stoddard to Herman and Martha (Grosskopf) Groth. She married Arnold Helke on October 26, 1938 in Stoddard. The family farm in Stoddard was her life and she spent her time cooking, canning, gardening, and spearing tobacco. She also enjoyed playing cards and listening to polka music.
Dorothy is survived by five children, Marie (Leonard) Stettner of Bismarck, ND, Doris Langaard of Coon Valley, Lyle (Ardell) Helke of Stoddard, Arvin (Linda) Helke of Stoddard, and Karen Jeffers of Bluffton, IN, twelve grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Clara Groth of Stoddard and Joyce Groth of La Crosse. She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold, a granddaughter Shannon Jeffers, four brothers, Eldred, George, Gary and Louie, a sister Irene Helke, and a son-in-law William Jeffers.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Stoddard. Pastor Phil Arnold will officiate. Burial will be in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.