Helen M. Loderbauer

Age 85, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 21, 2005 at St. Paul Elder Services, where she had resided the past two years. She was born July 16, 1919 in Duluth, Minnesota, daughter of the late Carl and Anna (Falk) Gabrielson. Helen married Joseph Loderbauer, Sr. on April 20, 1937 in Kaukauna; he preceded her in death on November 26, 1977. She and her husband operated a dairy farm in rural Kaukauna for forty years. Helen’s family and friends will always remember her warm and friendly smile, her kindness, generosity, and her close relationship with God. She gave of herself constantly her entire life. Helen loved flowers, cooking, sewing, and most of all sharing time with her family. She waited anxiously for the holiday season with the anticipation of preparing a huge meal and having family and any one else who needed a place to go around her table. Her family meant the world to her, and she and her husband gave their all to them. Strangers were always welcomed at their door. After losing her beloved husband in 1977, she pursued a career as a banquet cook at High Cliff Supper Club for several years. Here she was a “mom” to her younger co-workers. Helen loved people, and continued to meet new people as she traveled around the state for nearly twenty years with family, selling her homemade crafts, mostly pillows. She sewed over two thousand of them over the years. Helen was part of a prayer chain at church and sent out hundreds of cards to church members. She had a zest for life, even after losing her first leg at the age of seventy-five. She continually brightened someone’s day with calls, visits, or special gifts. Everyone who crossed her path will sadly miss her, but we are all happy that she is at peace with our heavenly Father and other family members. Helen enjoyed visiting the sick and the elderly, and truly appreciated everything God had given to her. Even at her worst, she said, “It could be worse.” Helen also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino with her family, mainly because of the people she could chat with around her. She enjoyed those trips a little more when she won a little! Helen knew that life was meant to be lived and shared with others.

She is survived by five children: Joseph (Donna) Loderbauer of Menasha; Mike (Connie) Loderbauer of Appleton; Sr. Jane Marie Loderbauer of Kaukauna; Betty (Huguener) Bastia of California; and Joan (David) McCormick of Menasha. The family tree grew with the addition of eleven grandchildren: Shirley (Albert) Schmidt, Robert (Kris) Loderbauer, Richard (Stephanie) Loderbauer, Sherry Loderbauer, Karen Loderbauer, Karl (Kim) Loderbauer, Sharon (Paul) Younger, Sue (Randy) Graham, Tina Brighum, Tim Loderbauer, and Angela McCormick. She is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren; a sister: Esther Loderbauer of Kaukauna, and a brother: Clifford (Ginny) Apitz of Shawano. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two brothers, a sister, a daughter-in-law, and four brothers-in-law, and three sisters-in-law.

It was Helen’s own wish to be cremated and to have no visitation. She also requested that rather than sending flowers, contributions may be made to a memorial fund that has been established.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 4, 2005 at ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, corner of Main Avenue and Ann Street in Kaukauna with Fr. David Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday, June 4 from 8:30 AM until the hour of the service.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Gregory Johnson, the entire staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital, and especially to all of the wonderful people who cared for mom during her stay at St. Paul Elder Services. You helped us through a difficult time.

We love you mom, for your wonderful example and pray that we can try to make you proud by following in your footsteps.