Helen C. Thomes

Helen Thomes (nee Schmitz) entered eternal life in the morning hours of Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, at her residence at the Harbor Club in Port Washington. She had recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Formerly of Belgium,  she has called Harbor Club her home for the past two years.

Helen was born on Oct. 19, 1920, on the family farm in Dacada. She was one of fourteen children born to Frank and Catherine (Schommer) Schmitz.

On Sept. 11, 1943, she married Archibald N. “Archie” Thomes at St. Nicholas Parish in Dacada, and together they farmed in the Town of Belgium.

She spent most of her entire adult life employed by Allen Edmond Shoe Co. and then Lake Church Leather Products.

After raising her family, Helen enjoyed quilting, crocheting, traveling, a good game of sheepshead with friends and a few casino bus trips! She especially enjoyed spending time with her great-grandchildren.

 Helen is survived by her children James (Alice) of Menasha, Catherine (Roger) Race of Grafton, Robert of Sheboygan and Karen (Al) Clark of Belgium; daughter-in-law Barb (the late John) Thomes of Kiel; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.  

She is further survived by sisters Evelyn (the late Joe) Walber and Grace (the late George) Lanser, brother John (Mary) Schmitz, sister-in-law Monica Schmitz, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Catherine Schmitz; husband Archie; son John; grandson Charles Race; granddaughter Toni Walber; great-grandson Chase Mantel; brothers Irwin, Gilbert, Arnold, Cyril, Emil (the late Genevieve), Nicholas (the late Sylvia), Alex (the late Marcy), Arthur (the late Angela) and Francis (the late Norma); sister Clara (the late Clarence Weyker and the late Elmer Wellenstein) Wellenstein; and sisters- and brothers-in-law Delores and Clarence Dimmer and Gladys and Robert Gall.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Divine Savior Parish, Holy Cross Chapel, 5330 County Highway B, in the Town of Belgium.  Father Gideon Buya presided.  

She was laid to rest beside her husband at St. Mary Parish Cemetery in Lake Church following the Mass.

Rather than flowers, memorials are suggested to The Bells of St. Mary’s (http://thebellsofstmarys.org/), Harbor Club (https://www.capricommunities.com/locations/harbor-campus/), Horizon Hospice (https://www.horizonhomecareandhospice.org/) or the charity of your choice in Helen’s name.

A special thank you to the staff of Horizon Hospice for your support and constant care and for making the transition a little easier to accept, and to the staff and the Harbor Club family – so many to thank, especially Karla, Kim, Kari, Ami, David and Lois, who helped us through so many situations. You are all angels!

Eernisse Funeral Home assisted the family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.