Helen Vetter

Helen Vetter (nee Rickert) born Aug. 2, 1924, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025 at Angel’s Grace Hospice. Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Pius Vetter (1922-2017).

Helen was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna (Hartmann) Rickert; siblings Evelyn (Henry) Molan, Adam (Kay) Rickert, Anna (Sister Mary Cecil, SSND) Rickert, Elizabeth (John) Orth, and John Rickert; and son-in-law Gregg Wozniak.

Helen is survived by her children, John (Katina) Vetter, Ann Wozniak, Margaret (Kevin Esser) Vetter, James (Jane) Vetter, Carol Vetter, and Richard Vetter; grandchildren Katherine (Flavio) Rovertoni, Dana (Aaron Sedman) Vetter, Sean Vetter, and Daniel (Jessica Rubino) Vetter; sister-in-law Patricia (John) Rickert; and Larry Hanlin and Richard Waskin as well as many relatives and friends.

Helen was born in Milwaukee and attended St. Boniface grade school and Messmer high school. After high school, Helen worked in the office at Harnischfeger Corporation. Pius and Helen met at a social outing where Pius gave Helen a gardenia and thus began a beautiful marriage and family.

Helen lived life joyfully every day as a faithful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt, and godmother. She enjoyed raising their six children with Pius and running a happy and busy home in the house that Pius built in Menomonee Falls. Helen was an active parishioner at St. James Catholic Church in Menomonee Falls. She also enjoyed baking, bowling, canning, creative sewing projects, knitting, playing cards, working on puzzles, and spending time with her friends and family.

Helen celebrated her 100th birthday in 2024 surrounded by family and friends. When asked the secret to her longevity, Helen replied, “I can’t tell you ALL my secrets! I don’t think I did anything special. I was just being me.”

The family would like to thank Kristen Winter from St. James Catholic Church, the Congregational Home rehab staff, Dr. McCann and the Aurora INR clinic in Menomonee Falls, and Angel’s Grace Hospice for the loving care shown to Helen and the family.

A special heart-felt thank you to daughter Carol who took such loving and tender care of her mother every day.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Monday, July 14, 2025, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Additional visitation will be held at St. James Catholic Church, W220 N6588 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 9:30 – 11:00 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery-Menomonee Falls.

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