It was a cold winter day on December 3, 1917 when Charles and Ella (Schmidt) Haas celebrated the birth of their beautiful daughter, Helen. She was the second of five children. Helen enjoyed growing up on her family’s dairy farm in Belle Plaine. She attended school through the seventh grade when she then began working full time on the farm. She often teased her brothers for not being able to keep up with her when it came to chores.
Eventually Helen met the love of her life, Reinhard Will. The two exchanged wedding vows at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine on May 26, 1937. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Shirley, Betty and Larry. Helen and Reinhard made a home for their family in Lydia where they farmed side-by-side for 40 years. After retiring from farming, Helen and Reinhard moved to a 10 acre piece of land where they spent many happy years together. They then moved to Kingsway Senior Living in Belle Plaine and eventually to the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home. The two shared a room until Reinhard passed away in 2011.
Helen loved to garden, bake and cook; homemade doughnuts were her specialty. You couldn’t visit Helen’s home without eating something delicious. Helen and Reinhard enjoyed dancing and playing cards together. They were also members of the Lydia Community Club and frequently hosted the group’s meetings in their basement.
Helen Minnie (Haas) Will passed away peacefully at the age 96 on Sunday, July 27, 2014. She was a strong, hard-working woman who was always giving to others.
Helen will be remembered always by her children, Shirley (Dennis) Luedke, Betty (Don) Krueger, Larry (Anne) Will; grandchildren, Lori Ann (Russel) Schurmann, David (Tammy) Luedke, Bradley (Pam) Luedke, JoAnn (James) Larson, Michelle (Russ) Evans, RoxAnne (John) Maul, Jonathan (Monica) Will; great-grandchildren, Jeremy Schurmann, Hannah (fiancé Aaron Hulke) Schurmann, Tyler Luedke, Ashley (Jarid) Wilk, Trevor Luedke, Austin Luedke, McKenna Luedke, LeAnn Larson, Emily Larson, Anna Larson, Dylan Maul, Olivia Maul, Carassa Mikesh, Kindra Mikesh; great-great-grandchild, Kyla Wilk; sister, Lucille (Marlin) Borchardt; sister-in-law, Ann Haas; other loving relatives and friends.
There to greet Helen in Heaven is her husband, Reinhard; brothers, Victor (Elsie) Haas, Clarence Haas, Myron (Myrna) Haas; great-grandson, Casey Luedke.
Pall Bearers for Helen are David Luedke, Bradley Luedke, Russel Schurmann, Jonathan Will, Jim Larson and Wayne Borchardt.
The visitation is Saturday, August 2, 2014 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Jordan. The funeral service is Sunday, August 3, 2014 at 12 Noon with visitation one hour prior at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Jordan. Pastor Jeremy Glowicki will preside. Helen will be laid to rest next to her beloved Reinhard at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan.
