Helen Kardack

Helen Kardack, a life-long citizen of Marathon County, passed away Saturday, December 30th, 2017, while a resident at Mount View Care Center in Wausau, after a losing battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born April 10th, 1920, in the Township of Stettin, the eighth child in a family of twelve children, of Friedrich Wilhelm Bartelt and Louise Caroline Luedtke Bartelt. Helen married William Paul Wasmundt in 1937 and Steven John Kardack in 1949. During these marriages, Helen was the mother of six children: Marion Wasmundt Rahn (Russell), Robert Wasmundt (Connie), Thomas Wasmundt (Carol), Roselie Wasmundt Wiedow (Gene), Judy Wasmundt Hettinga (Larry) and Louise (“Suzi”) Kardack (Jerry).

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, both of her husbands, three of her children – Robert Wasmundt, Thomas Wasmundt, and Louise (“Suzi”) Kardack Nest  – and two grandchildren – Susan Rahn Tyreman (daughter of Russell and Marion Rahn) and Douglas Robert Wasmundt (son of Robert and Delores Wasmundt). She is survived by one sister-in-law – Delores Krolikowski Bartelt (George) – her three daughters Marion, Roselie and Judy, by two daughters-in-law Carol Wasmundt and Connie Wasmundt, and by her son-in-law, Jerry Nest. In addition, her loss is mourned by sixteen grandchildren, six step grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren, caregiver Judy Peterson, with many additional relatives and friends

Helen has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wausau for over seventy-five years and an active member of the church Welfare Workers Society. Until her retirement, she worked full time for Connor Lumber and Land Company, and as a domestic worker for several Wausau area households. Her crowning achievement in her life came when she and her husband became proud homeowners in Wausau on March 6, 1967.

To her innumerable family members and friends, Helen will always be remembered as someone who never avoided hard work, never lacked a kind word to share with others, and gave enthusiastic hugs to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials appreciated in lieu of flowers in favor of Trinity Lutheran School (501 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401), Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services (Aspirus Health Foundation: Hospice Care 425 Pine Ridge Boulevard, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401) or a memorial of your own choosing.

The funeral service for Helen will be on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wausau.  Rev. Zach Holdorff will officiate.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM on Monday until the time of service at the church.  She will be laid to rest at Pine Grove Cemetery in Wausau, Wisconsin, at the side of her second spouse, Steven Kardack.  Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guest book at helke.com.