Sixth Generation

51. Helen Victoria DINGER was born on 11 June 1918 in Melvina, Jefferson Township, Monroe County, WI.^15,22 She appeared in the census in 1920 in Leon Township, Monroe County, WI.¹² She appeared in the census in 1930 in Clifton Township, Monroe County, WI.¹³ Helen died on 3 May 2012 at the age of 93 in Richland Center, Richland County, WI.²²

Obituary Notes: "Helen V. Johnson, 93, of La Farge and formerly of Camp Douglas, died Thursday, May 3, 2012, at the Schmitt Woodland Hill Nursing Home, Richland Center. She was born June 11, 1918, to Russel and Ruth (Olsen) Dinger at Melvina. She was united in marriage to Ronald Burrows in 1937. He preceded her in death in 1981. On July 6, 1983, she was united in marriage to Alfred W. Johnson. Helen worked as a waitress for many years. Helen loved to laugh; she often could be found surrounded by family and friends with a beautiful smile on her face. She had a great love for music and dancing. She played the harmonica in a band and never sat out for a polka dance. She enjoyed playing cards with her family and was known to have a trick or two up her sleeve. She also loved to crochet. Helen always could grow the most beautiful flowers, which she would whisper gentle and kind words to help them grow. She had a big, loving heart, which she extended to all her family and friends. She was quick-witted and was known to be a daredevil. Helen always was up for a challenge. She belonged to the Oakdale Happy Hour Club, where she spent countless hours with the ladies of the Oakdale community providing community support and get-togethers. She also belonged to the senior citizens band and the bowling team. She was a gracious and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred of Richland Center; four sons, James (Judy) Burrows of Onalaska, Jerry Burrows of Rockford, Ill., Jeffrey (Toni) Burrows of Sparta and Jan (John Hurlber) Burrows of New Orleans; two daughters, Kay (Thomas) Fortner of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Karen (Roland) Ziegler of Sparta; two stepsons, Leroy Johnson and Leonard (Tammy) Johnson, both of Richland Center; two stepdaughters, Luann (Ed) Brown and Laura (Alvin) Whitetaker, both of Richland Center; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Burrows of Milwaukee; "beaucoup" 25 grandchildren; 43 great- grandchildren; many great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Erbs of Mauston; a half-sister Elaine Bailey of Richland Center; four sisters-in-law, Harriett Butterfuss and Charlotte Quackenbush both of Tomah, Lucille Schultz of DeForest and Mildred Dinger of Black River Falls; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Ronald; a son, Keith; a granddaughter, Heather Beckler; a great-grandson, Peter Ziegler; four brothers, Warren, George, Leo and Virgil; and a sister, Mildred Goodman.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday (today), May 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, Camp Douglas. Father John Ofori-Domah will officiate. Burial will be in St. James Catholic Cemetery, Camp Douglas. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah, from 4-8 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. A parish rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home."

Helen Victoria DINGER and Ronald BURROWS were married in 1937.²² Ronald BURROWS died in 1981.

Helen Victoria DINGER and Alfred W. JOHNSON were married on 6 July 1983.²² Alfred W. JOHNSON was born (date unknown).