Helen Wiechmann

Helen Wiechmann, age 87 of Sauk Centre, died surrounded by her family Sunday, July 6, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 10 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. Greg Paffel will officiate with interment following in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish Prayers will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by Christian Mothers prayers at 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday.

Helen Mareck was born on July 29, 1926 in Oak Township, Stearns County, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Rose (Friedl) Mareck. She attended grade school in Albany District 53 and Elrosa District 156. Then she worked as a farm hand on the family farm until after World War II, when she married Walter Joseph Wiechmann, the love of her life, at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa on October 14, 1947. They made their home in Sauk Centre, where they raised their six children.

She was an active member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, Sister Faustina Adoration Chapel, Senior Citizens Community Center, Catholic United Financial, Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853 Auxiliary, Centre Squares Square Dance Club, and Line Dancers Group. She enjoyed quilting, cards, puzzles, biking, gardening, traveling, working outdoors - summer or winter, and delivering Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by six children, Carol (James) Schneider of Bemidji, Lois Frericks of Melrose, Donna (Paul) Swirczynski of Boise, ID, Sheila (Steve) Ellingboe of Willmar, Janel (Jerry) Kuhn of Russiaville, IN, and David (Lisa) Wiechmann of West Bloomfield, MI; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; sister, Florence (Mareck) Heinen; and brothers, George and Robert (Mary) Mareck.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Rose (Friedl) Mareck; husband, Walter Wiechmann on November 21, 1999; brothers, Harold, Donald, Alphonse and Magnus Mareck; son-in-law, Robert Frericks.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael and Mark Wiechmann, Eldred Heinen, Bill Mareck, Ross Frericks, Jared Kuhn, Erik and John Ellingboe. Cross bearer will be Nicole Kuhn, scripture bearer will be Amber Fraasch, and gift bearers will be Jackie Heinen and Mary Kimman. Eucharistic minister will be Jim Schneider and lectors will be Stephanie Brueland, Ashton Gregory, and Alicia Braun.