Sixth Generation

324. Dwight HELMKE was born (date unknown).

Dwight HELMKE and Judith "Judy" BOHLMANN were married on 30 April 1982 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴⁴ Judith "Judy" BOHLMANN was born on 16 June 1940 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI.³⁴² She died on 27 January 2021 at the age of 80 in Eau Claire, Eau Claire Township, Eau Claire County, WI.³⁴²
Obituary Notes: "Judith “Judy” G. Helmke, 80 of Warrens was called to glory on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire.  She was born on June 16, 1940 to Fred and Winifred (Zimmermann) Bohlmann in Milwaukee.  Judy attended Atonement Lutheran Elementary School and was a member of the Wisconsin Lutheran High School graduating Class of 1958. 

After graduation Judy pursued her teaching degree at Doctor Martin Luther College, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Elementary Education. Judy’s life work was centered around teaching.  Her first teaching assignment was in 1960, when an emergency Call was sent out from Zion Lutheran School in Mission, South Dakota for an elementary teacher grade 1-8. She took the Call when she was still attending college. She taught for a year, then returned to DMLC to complete her studies.  Her first Call after graduation was to Good Shepherd in Beloit, WI. 

On August 20, 1966, she was united in marriage to David Holum at Atonement Lutheran Church, Milwaukee.  Judy’s role of teacher switched to that of wife, mother, and homemaker for their 4 children.  David preceded Judy in death on, September 16, 1979. 

In 1978, Judy returned to teaching taking a position at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran School, Tomah.  There she remained the kindergarten teacher for over 29 years, retiring in 2007.  Judy was blessed to have found love a second time and on April 30, 1982, she was united in marriage to Dwight Helmke at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah. 

After retiring from teaching, Judy continued to work with St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and School in the after-care program, where she was able to still connect with the children of the church and school.  Judy herself would tell you, her greatest professional accomplishment was “being allowed to teach God’s children.” Throughout her lifetime, she has touched the lives of so many and will be fondly remembered as Mrs. Helmke by countless students. 

Judy was faithful and devoted member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church.  One her favorite times of year was getting the kids together for the school’s Christmas program.  She was also incredibly involved with 4-H for over some 40 years.  Judy was a voracious reader and an enthusiastic Packer fan.
The one thing that was also certain to bring a smile to her face, was seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She loved watching them grow and overcome life’s challenges to the beautiful people they are today.  Her ability to love was endless and will be cherished by those that knew her. 
 
She is survived by her husband, Dwight of Warrens, 4 daughters, Jill (Richard) Helming of Warrens, Sarah (Daniel) Briggs of Warrens, Joanna (David) Archer of Hortonville, WI and Suzanne (Anthony) Williams of Antioch, CA, 8 grandchildren, David (Miranda) Helming, Zachary (Amy Bryant) Helming, Ashleigh (Joe) Brand, Alysha (Brandon) Wilbanks, Charyl (Tyler) Norris, Tatianna Briggs, Bryce Archer and Spencer Archer,  9 great grandchildren, Harper, Adley, and Holden Helming, Zaylee Brand, Harmoni, Gabriel, Josie, Sylas, and Romeo Wilbanks, and a brother, Fred (Colette) Bohlmann of Cedarburg, WI, Step-mother-in-law Helene Helmke, of Miamisburg, OH, a brother-in-law Keith (Jill) Helmke of Salt Lake, UT, and a sister-in-law, Christine (Ike) Maxis of Miamisburg, OH. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and first husband, David Holum.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, 11:00 AM at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, Tomah.  Pastor Curt S. Backhaus will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date in the Dannavang Cemetery, Township of Lincoln.  Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service."

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