Rita A. Helfrich

Rita A. (Breuer) Helfrich, our mother, went home to be with her family in heaven on March 22, 2024. She was 6 days from 97 years old, a current resident of Phoenix, Arizona, and a long-time resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

She was born in La Crosse on March 28, 1927, to Guido and Katharine (Rendler) Breuer. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1945. In 1949, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Viterbo College and was their first lay graduate. She went on to earn a master’s degree in music from Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, in New York in 1952.

She was a talented classical pianist giving recitals in the La Crosse area, dedicating church organs, and teaching many students how to play the piano.

She had six children with Joseph Helfrich and often said that raising her kids was the best time of her life. She continued helping to raise her 12 grandchildren traveling out of state many winters to spend time at each of her kids’ homes. She was a loyal Green Bay packers fan and enjoyed get-togethers with a close group of friends since Holy Trinity Grade School.

She was a strong, smart, kind-hearted, generous, beautiful, fun, and funny woman who left a lasting impression on those she met and could light up a room with her bright smile and sparkly eyes. She had a gift for helping people feel good, loved, and supported. She filled our hearts and minds with music and delightful old-time songs which we will keep singing in her memory. She loved a challenge trying snorkeling and downhill skiing in her 70’s, riding a roller coaster in her 80’s, still able to do 30 ‘boy’ push-ups in her 90’s, and recently dribbling a ball while standing on a balance pad.

She was preceded in death by her sister Phyllis Von Arx, and brothers Bill Breuer and Dick Breuer.

She is survived by daughters Sarah (Tom) Graves of Escondido CA, Heidi (Marc) Koehler of Oceanside CA, Margaret (Emery) Wilcox of Carlsbad CA, and Hannah Helfrich of Phoenix, and sons Hans (Susie) Helfrich of San Diego CA and Kurt (Randy) Helfrich of Palm Springs CA.

We love you mom and we thank you. We will see you again someday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 13th Street S., La Crosse. Light refreshments will be available at Leo Hall following Mass.

Donations can be made in Rita’s memory to her favorite charities Food for the Poor, the Salvation Army of La Crosse, and Cross Catholic Outreach.