Helen J. Rodenschmit

PHOTO RODENSCHMIT. HELEN J. CROSS PLAINS-Helen J. Rodenschmit, age 80, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2012. She was born in Cross Plains on January 8, 1932, the daughter of Frank and Juliana (Schmelzer) Rodenschmit. Baptized at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains and attended grade school there. After 8th grade graduation in 1946, she entered St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee and received the name of Sister M. Angelista OSF and later as Sister Helen. She taught grade school in Forrest Park, IL., River Grove, IL., Milwaukee, New York City, and Endeavor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee on July 31, 1962 and learned Spanish in Puerto Rico. Sister Helen spent 20 years in mission work in Costa Rica, teaching English to grade school children. After leaving the convent she came home to care for her Dad and Mom. While attending Whitewater College she earned her Masters degree in Teaching on December 10, 1988 and then taught ESL teaching in Waterloo, Marshall, Mauston and Sauk City. After her retirement, she put together family trees of the Rodenschmit and Schmelzer families and reprinted many old family pictures to share with all of her family members. Helen is survived by her brothers and sisters, Edwin Rodenschmit, Mary Ellen Raemisch, Anna May (Bert) Krantz, Carol Spencer, Bill (Jan) Rodenschmit, Susan Geishirt, Alice Atteln and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers-in-law, Elmer Geishirt, Chuck Raemisch, Fran Spencer and Claire Atteln; her paternal grandparents, Peter and Frances Rodenschmit and her maternal grandparents John and Anna Schmelzer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 20, 2012 with Father Thomas Kelley presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis Endowment Fund or to the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sister John Rose Acker for her many visits and also to Ingleside Nursing Home, Oak Park (Walnut Grove) Assisted Living and Agrace HospiceCare for their loving care. Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street 608-798-3141 www.gundersonfh.com Cemetery: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 20, 2012 with Father Thomas Kelley presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis Endowment Fund or to the School Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukee. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 20, 2012 with Father Thomas Kelley presiding.