Helen V. Yerke, age 94, of Fennimore, died on Tuesday May 17, 2016, at the Fennimore Good Samaritan Society. Helen was born on July 2, 1921, in Fennimore Township, the daughter of William and Julia (Lemanski) Worley. She married LaVerne Yerke in April of 1939.
Helen and LaVerne farmed outside of Fennimore on Wood Road until LaVerne’s untimely death in 1969. Helen then moved to nearby Preston and began working at the bowling alley in Fennimore where she waitressed and made pizzas. “Helen Waite” as many people knew her, enjoyed listening to the jukebox and was known to have danced on the bar a time or two. Away from work, Helen enjoyed spending time in her vegetable garden, baking for family and friends, playing cards and bingo, and going out to eat at Castle Rock Inn and the Hilltop. Helen was a very kind and appreciative person and her “firecracker” personality will forever be cherished.
Helen is survived by five grandchildren; Richard Jr. (Margie) Yerke of Dubuque, IA, Crystal (Skip) Peters of Cincinnati, OH, Tina Yerke of Mineral Point, Vicky Yerke of Cuba City and Tana (Alan) Shallenberger of Clinton, WI, 15 great grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren and special friends Jeff (Donna) Henkel of Preston.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband LaVerne in Nov. 1969, sons Kenneth and Richard Yerke, great-grandson Adam Keefer, brother Floyd Worley and sisters Florence Pasold and Dorothy Burgess.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday May 20, 2016, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church on Friday morning.