Helen E. Charlton

Helen E. Charlton, 91, of the Town of Trenton passed away Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, with her husband Jim by her side.

She was born the daughter of Edward and Rose (Ritger) Sauer on April 24, 1933, in Rubicon, Wis.

She married the love of her life, James R. Charlton, on July 26, 1963, and together, they raised two daughters: Gale and Julie.

As a devoted wife and mother, Helen showered her family with unconditional love and worked hard to keep up the family home.

In the earlier years of her marriage, she played the bass alongside Jim in their three-piece band known as The Country Kings.

Helen was a woman of many talents. She sewed matching outfits for her daughters when they were young and made the Western outfits for their band. She loved to crochet and created many beautiful afghans and baby blankets that she shared with family and friends. She was a great cook and loved to bless others with treats and loaves of poppyseed bread, especially during the holidays.

Helen loved to spend time working outside, gardening, cutting the lawn and even shoveling snow. Her favorite outdoor activity, however, happened in the late afternoons when she and Jim would sit on their deck together. They’d have a couple of whiskey old fashioneds that were garnished with Helen’s famous homemade dilly beans and they would simply talk for hours.    

Holidays were a big event in the Charlton home, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Helen loved to decorate, and their home always looked warm, inviting and festive. She was a generous giver to family and friends during the holidays but continued her spirit of giving all year long. Whether it was to her church, St. Jude’s Hospital, the Humane Society or many other charities, she loved to give.

Helen is survived by her husband Jim of West Bend; her daughters Gale (David) Charlton from Eugene Ore., and Julie (Ken) Schneider of Fredonia; grandsons Christopher, Lawrence, Jonathan and Andrew; her sisters Marion Lemke of West Bend and Rosemary Zimdars of Newburg; and Kathy (Bill) Leitner, who was like a daughter to Helen.  She is further survived by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and her beloved pup Lucy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Roman, Edmund, Frankie and Roland, a brother in infancy.

The family would like to extend their deepest love and appreciation to Deacon Mike Koebel and congregational friends from Holy Trinity Parish in Newburg, and everyone else who prayed and supported them through this difficult time. Helen was a very special lady who will be missed by many. Please continue to offer up your prayers as they begin to navigate their lives without their beloved wife and mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 521 Congress St., P.O. Box 16, Newburg, WI  53060.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home of West Bend has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements.

Additional information and a guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.