Helen Schaefer was born to Eternal Life on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 at the age of 85 years.
Helen was born Feb. 8, 1938, the only child of George and Bothona (Bieneman) Uhlenhake. She attended St. Mary’s Schools and graduated with the class of 1956. Following graduation, she worked at Burlington Wholesale Foods. On Aug. 8, 1959 she married Francis Schaefer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington. Together they farmed the Uhlenhake family farm for the next 45 years. In 1990, Helen was elected the Clerk Treasurer of the Town of Burlington, a position she held until her retirement in 2001.
In retirement Francis and Helen traveled the world. Helen worked into her 80’s. She was the secretary of Bohner’s Lake Sanitary District, coordinator of Telecare program and a community volunteer. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Burlington, and served in several roles there. She volunteered for Girl Scouts and 4H while raising her kids.
Helen is survived by her children Andy (Leila), Julie and Ed; five grandchildren Lindsay, Dylan, Nicole (Cale), Allison (Grant), and Cael; great-granddaughter Thea; sisters-in-law Janette Schmeckel and Joyce Schaefer; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis in 2014 and daughter-in-law Chris in 2021.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Faith Community, 305 S. 1st Street, Waterford, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, in Helen’s honor memorials are appreciated to Catholic Central High School Burlington or School Sisters of Notre Dame in Elm Grove.
A special thank you to Dr. Paul Webber and his staff for their excellent care of Francis and Helen for so many years. The family would also like to thank the staff at Arbor View Senior Living and Gentiva Hospice. Also, the family would like to thank Kathy Baumeister and Sharon Schmeckel for helping care for Helen these last months.
Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.
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