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- Mrs. Bernard Theisen, the former Helen E. Bringman, 92, passed away on April 15, 2011, at Grand Horizons, Kimberly. Helen was born on November 10, 1918, in the Town of Freedom, the daughter of the later Ernest and Emma (Brinkman) Bringman. As a young girl, she worked loyally with her parents on the family farm near Seymour. She graduated from the high school there in 1936.
Following her graduation, she was employed at Wisconsin Telephone Company in Appleton. In 1940, Helen married Bernard Theisen and they recently celebrated 70 years together. The couple received a certificate from President Obama to acknowledge the event. Helen retired from the phone company in 1981 and was a longtime member of the Telephone Pioneers Club.
She was a loving wife and mother of two sons, Thomas and Charles. Helen enjoyed working with and for children. She served as an Advancement Officer and Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of America. At the Appleton YMCA, she cared for many young children in the "Baby-Sitting Service" so other mothers could attend functions and classes in the same building. Following her retirement, Helen found it rewarding tutoring young children to help them improve their reading skills. She also took in young expectant mothers needing a place to stay until their babies were born. Some of her favorite hobbies were gardening, camping, traveling, golfing, bowling and playing cards with friends.
Helen is survived by her husband, Bernard "Bud" Theisen; three granddaughters, Melissa (Craig) North, Amy (Michael) Kerwin and Heather (Chuy) Gandara; and four great-grandchildren, Taylor and Travis North, and Isabella and Max Gandara. Her niece, JoAnn Hamilton, served as a caregiver for both Helen and Bud. She also has a niece, Pat Wenzel, who visited often. Helen is also survived by a sister-in-law, Audrey Bringman; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her two sons, Thomas and Charles; her parents, Emma and Ernest Bringman; her sisters, Mildred (William) Fischer, Ruth (Harold) Crowe, Doris (August) Werner; a brother, George Bringman; in-laws, Maurice (Ollie) Theisen, Rita (Tony) Minion; mother-in-law, Elizabeth (Tillman) Theisen and father-in-law Joseph Theisen.
The Funeral Liturgy will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 500 W. Marquette Street, Appleton, with Fr. Jim Vanden Hogen officiating. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of services. Entombment will be in Highland Memorial Park.
A memorial fund has been established in Helen's name to benefit Mother and Unborn Baby Care.
Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 739-1231
Online Condolences:
www.wichmannfargo.com
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1918 - 2011 (92 years)
