Barbara Helker - Braun

Barbara Helker-Braun (Nee: Kronick), 83, beloved wife of Charles “Charlie” Braun, passed away Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 at Omro Care Center after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Barbara was born in Racine on May 17th, 1932, daughter of the late Charles and Marian (Nee: Schoeller) Kronick.

She grew up in Racine, graduate of William Horlick High School, Class of 1950. She enjoyed many afternoons roller skating at the neighborhood roller rink. Barbara was a bat girl for the Racine Belles during her teens, a memory she always cherished. In 1950, Barbara met and married Donald Helker. They had nine children and were married for 20 years, later divorcing in 1970.

Barbara was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir at Evangelical United Brethren Church (now Faith United Methodist Church) for many years. She was an avid bowler, and bowled with her daughters on city leagues and also in State and National tournaments. She was employed by the Racine Bus Company for 30, driving city transit bus for 20 of those years until her retirement in 1994. While working at the Bus Company, Barbara was reconnected with Charles Braun, a childhood friend she knew from her day’s roller skating at the roller rink. They married in 1993 and became lifelong partners. After her retirement, with husband “Charlie”, moved to Neshkoro, Wisconsin to live in the home they built on Silver Spring Lake and fulfilled their dream of retiring in God’s country. Children and grandchildren can recall the many wonderful family gatherings on the lake, fishing and tubing or just relaxing on the beach. She loved taking trips to the casinos, playing and winning on the Keno machines. She was also known for making the best chocolate chip cookies ever.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Charles Braun of Neshkoro; children: Terry (Leo) Unterbrink of Union Grove, Daniel (Diane) Helker of Black River Falls, Douglas (Nancy) Helker of Racine and Patti Fandry of Racine. Step-children: Timothy Braun of California, Jeffrey (Cheri) Braun of Texas and David (Terri) Braun of Minnesota; grandchildren: Richard (Anne) Murray, Heidi (Aaron) Onsrud, Tricia (Mark) Boerboom, Jess (Kristen) Helker, Jason (Charity) Helker, Lisa (Nick) Cox, Tracy (Tom) Eckerle, Richard (Beth) Fandry and Brian (Jackie) Fandry; step-grandchildren: Christopher (Carrie) Braun, Mandy and Candi Braun. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law: Joan (Bob) Biemeck, Mary (Ron) Mog and Sharon Holbus, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by:

Children: Cathy Fotjik, Donald Helker Jr., and three infant sons; brother: John Kronick; step-son; Charles A Braun Jr.; grandchildren: Theodore and Michael Murray and Harmony Braun; brothers-in-law: John Braun, Donald Braun, Robert Braun and sister-in-law Shirley O‘Conner.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 27, 2015, 10:00 A.M. at West Lawn Memorial Park Chapel. Interment will follow. Relatives and friends may meet Friday at the funeral home 5-7 P.M.