Joyce I. Helms, age 85, of Marion passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
The former Joyce Irleine Miller was born on March 26, 1931 in the Town of Helvetia, Waupaca County, to Louis and Elsie (Rast) Miller. She graduated from Manawa High School in 1949. Joyce was united in marriage on July 22, 1950 to Harold C. Helms at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church parsonage, Town of Dupont, Waupaca County. The couple made their home in Marion where she was employed for some time at Hehner TV and Furniture Store. She was very proud to be a homemaker, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother. Joyce was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church where she served as a greeter, attended bible study groups, and volunteered with funeral luncheons. She was an excellent cook and baker as well; making delicious homemade breads, pies, and cookies. Joyce enjoyed canning, reading, and completing jig-saw puzzles. She also liked being outdoors whether it was working in her vegetable garden or fishing up north on the lake. Her husband preceded her in death on December 30, 2003. Joyce was always a kind and caring person and will be remembered most for her wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include two sons, Harold Helms Jr. and Roger (Sharon) Helms, both of Kaukauna. There are four grandchildren, Brian (Terri) Helms, Karmen (Scott) Haldiman, Adam Helms, and Wendy (Brett) Leeson. There are five great grandchildren, Marty and Mason Helms; Justin and Alison Sommer; and Eva Leeson. There is one sister, JoAnn Goettel of Black Creek, and one brother, Russell (Delores) Miller of Hortonville. There are three sisters-in-law, Wynella (Eugene) Barnick of Marion, Florence Helms of Marion, and Geraldine Miller of Phoenix, AZ. She is further survived by one brother-in-law, Allen Johnson of Tigerton; nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold Sr.; daughter-in-law, Charlene Helms; three sisters, infant Donna, Gladys Leach and Dorothy Ovsienko; three brothers, Carl, Leroy, and Marlyn Miller; and brother-in-law Otto Goettel. Joyce is further preceded by her best friend, Phyllis Dewhurst, who helped her out in so many ways.
Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 22nd at 11:00 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, Marion. Rev. Bradley Dokken will officiate and burial will follow at Roseland Cemetery, Marion. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:00 AM until time of service at the church. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Marion, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John Lutheran Church in Joyce’s memory.
A special thank you all the staff at Carolina Assisted Living, Appleton, for the extraordinary care given to mom. We also wish to thank mom’s resident assistant, Olive, for the love and compassion shown.