Alberta Helen Helmke, age 75, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

Born January 4, 1946, in Clinton, Iowa, to Albert and Ruth Paysen. She was baptized in 1946 and confirmed in 1959 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa.

Alberta was united in marriage to Dennis Ray Helmke from Algona, Iowa on August 18, 1968, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two children, Brian and Dean.

Alberta attended Camanche High School, Camanche, Iowa graduating as Valedictorian in 1964. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Food Nutrition and Research from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, in 1968. She graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska with a Master of Science in Poultry and Food Science in 1970. She also graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, with a Master of Business Administration in 1997.

Alberta was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI, and served as Chairman Board of Stewardship and Chairman Board of Evangelism, Sunday School Superintendent, Bible School teacher, Choir, Choir Librarian, Musician and a member of LWML. In addition, she taught Junior Confirmation for 13 years at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Alberta in her early years enjoyed 4-H, band and school activities. Following her children entering school, she worked for Besco Products, Louisville, KY until moving to Kenosha. Her working career in Kenosha was at SC Johnson, Racine, WI in Market Services for 36 years and received the Chairman’s Award for Glade Candles. Her favorite hobbies and activities included sewing, stained glass, crafts, choir and boating. She was a member of Quilt of Valor, hand quilting and presenting over 40 quilts, a member of Southport Quilters Guild and the First Mate on Souvenir, her family’s boat. She loved traveling on the boat, virtually docking close to all the harbors on Lake Michigan and many in Lake Huron. Traveling took her to many European Countries and beyond, including Germany, France, Belgium, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Iceland. She traveled the USA and Canada extensively.

Alberta’s faith, family and friends meant everything to her. She was known and will be remembered for her creative artistic abilities and nurturing family and friend relationships.

Alberta is survived by her husband, Dennis of 54 years; two sons, Brian (Elizabeth) of Charlottesville, VA, and Dean (Lori) of Kenosha, WI; two grandsons and three granddaughters, Chad, Rachel, Jessica, Brooke of Kenosha and Jack of Charlottesville; her brothers and sisters, Howard (Linda) Paysen of Fulton, IL, John (Corrine) Paysen of Comanche, IA, Darlene Paysen of Clinton, IA, Louise (Ken) Larson of Huxley, IA. In addition, she is survived by three godsons, Chris Paysen, Mike Larson, Shane Smith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Ruth Paysen; two brothers, Leonard and Ralph (Juli) Paysen; two sisters Carol Jean Paysen and Martha (John) Simonson and one godson, Greg Mueller.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Alberta’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2026 22^nd Avenue, Kenosha, WI.

Interment will take place in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

A visitation for Alberta will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53144.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML), 801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105 https://give.cornerstone.cc/lwml/checkout or https://www.lwml.org/home would be appreciated.