Helen Ione Schmelzer

MADISON-Helen I. Schmelzer, age 98, lifelong resident of Madison, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. She was born on Sept. 19, 1913, in Madison, the daughter of Herman and Julia (Hegg) Spanum. She graduated from Madison East High School in 1932. Helen married Victor Schmelzer on Dec. 3, 1942. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Helen cherished being able to live in her childhood home for more than 90 years. She loved being surrounded by her family. Helen will always be remembered as a kind and gentle woman. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her neighborhood friends. Helen is survived by her children, Janet Schmelzer, Bill Sr. (Mary) Schmelzer, Rick (Cindy) Schmelzer, and Marcy Schmelzer; grandchildren, Billy, Lisa (Ken), A.J., Dan (Sara), Tami, and Kayla; great-grandchildren, Dayne, Molly, and Finley; her faithful “buddy”, Jane, who was always there for her; and her longtime canine companion, Shadow. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Victor in 2005; siblings, Emma Mandt, Clary Spanum, and Herbert Spanum; brother-in-law, Phil Schmelzer; and sister-in-law, Rosella Kuehn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. A special thank you to the staff at Heritage Memory Care, especially the C.N.A.’s, and Agrace HospiceCare, especially Leah, for the care given to Helen. Cemetery: Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 1:30 p.m. until the time of Mass on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.