Charlene Rae Helms, 64, of Appleton, formerly of Shawano, died on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, at her home. Born on May 2, 1950, in Clintonville, she was the daughter of the late Ned and Arlette (Sether) Nehring.
Charlene was united in marriage to Harold Helms Jr. on Nov. 15, 1969, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marion. After attending beauty school, she became the owner and operator of her own salon in Shawano for many years, and also served as the church secretary at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano for several years. She was very musically inclined, which she showcased in several arenas, such as singing in the Sweet Adelines and the choir at Zion, playing the bells in Zion’s Joyful Ringers and playing in the Marion Minutemen Community Band.
Charlene also enjoyed going on casino trips. She was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sherwood and former member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano, where she was extremely involved with the worship and music committee. Charlene will always be remembered for her love of entertaining, particularly during the holidays and family gatherings, where she featured the tasty morsels she created in her kitchen. She adored her family and was a loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother who especially enjoyed cheering her kids on at their sporting and musical events. Her infectious laughter could be heard while playing cards, swimming and relaxing during the many times spent at the cabins in Pelican Lake and the Chain of Lakes.
Charlene is survived by her loving husband, Harold, of Appleton; two children, Brian (Terri) Helms, of Sherwood, and Karmen (Scott) Haldiman, of Appleton; four grandchildren, Martin and Mason Helms, Justin and Alison Sommer; her sister, Sherry (James) Klitz, of Neenah; her mother-in-law, Joyce (Harold Sr.) Helms, of Marion; and her brother-in-law, Roger (Sharon) Helms, of Kaukauna.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law, Harold Helms Sr.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano with the Rev. Gisele Berninghaus officiating. Visitation and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the church on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014, from 4-8 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in the Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Pancreatic Cancer Research, in care of the Lustgarten Foundation (www.lustgarten.org), or Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sherwood.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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