Helen Pickardt

Helen Ruth (nee Vande Zande), 98, passed away on the evening of January 21, 2013. Helen had been a resident of Meadow View Manor Nursing Home for the last 10 years, five of them with her husband, Herb. Helen was born in Waupun on October 5, 1914, the daughter of Albert and Anah (Loomans) Vande Zande. She attended local schools. Helen married Herbert M. Pickhardt on November 9, 1940 in Dubuque, Iowa. They moved to Sheboygan in November of 1942. Herb preceded her in death on August 20, 2007. Helen was employed at Edward's Restaurant for 13 years and at Goodstein's jewelry for 12 years, retiring in 1984. She was an avid bowler and member of the Hall of Fame. She served as secretary on many bowling leagues and took pride in organizing a bus to state tournaments each year. She belonged to several bowling leagues and bowled well into her 80's on senior leagues with Herb. Helen enjoyed her grandchildren and loved taking them out to eat and playing cards with them. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and all the grandkids looked forward to them, because she had no limits. She loved to shop. Her hobbies included embroidery and crossword puzzles and missed them as her sight started fading and she had to give them up. She also enjoyed bingo at the nursing home and trips to Oneida with her daughter Jeri, which also included eating out. She loved going out to eat and rarely said no to an offer. She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law; Judy (Bud) Keller, Weyauwega, Sharon (Chuck) Huberty and Jeri Edland, all of Sheboygan. She is further survived by six grandchildren and spouses, Lori (Jason) Freiboth, Whitelaw, Scott Keller, Appleton, Kurt Huberty, Sheboygan, RaNae (Brian) Passehl, Sheboygan Falls, Cory (Ty) Stuefen, Sheboygan and Matthew (Kathy) Kaesermann, Racine; eight great-grandchildren, Cassi Keller, Aubrey Freiboth, Rachel and Ethan Passehl, Olivia Fox, Trent Stuefen, and Elise and Jackson Kaesermann. She is further survived by two sisters, Lois Veleke, Eau Claire and Evelyn Lemke, Waupun and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Roger, Kenneth and Lawrence Vande Zande and two brothers-in-law, Milton Veleke and Milan Lemke. A memorial service for Helen will take place Thursday, January 24, 2013, at 11:00 am, at Zimmer's Westview Funeral & Cremation Care Center (Hwy 42 & JJ Howards Grove). The Reverend DuWayne Hanke will officiate. Friends may call on Thursday, at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of service. Entombment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park. A memorial fund has been established in her name. The family would like to thank the staff at Meadow View Manor for caring for Helen and Herb. It is greatly appreciated. A thank you to the Hospice Advantage staff for giving her special attention in her final days. Special thanks to Helen Johnson for being her friend and watching out for her, together they were the "two Helens" and could be quite a force.