Helen Christine Thon Schrantz, Jefferson, WI  (1919 - 2012)

April 6, 1919 - October 12, 2012
On Oct. 12, 2012, at 11:45 p.m., God was listening to His choir and He realized He was missing one angel and as He looked down He saw Helen patiently waiting. He reached His hand down and lifted her up to be His newest angel.
Helen Christine (Thon) Schrantz was born on April 6, 1919, in Menomonie, WI. She married Andrew Schrantz on Jan. 25, 1935, and has five daughters: Kathleen Taylor (Bill) Kingston of Jefferson, Diane (Dennis) Mepham of Fort Atkinson, Nicki (James) Schaffitzel of Edgerton, Carol Schrantz of Watertown, and Andrea Maves of Edgerton. Helen has 13 grandchildren: Michael (Wendy) Taylor, James Jr. (Christine) Taylor, Kristen (Diana) Taylor, Denise (John) Poeppel, Darnell (Judy) Mepham, Angie (Jay) Stone, Jim Jr. (Leann) Schaffitzel, Belinda (Lucas) Schaffitzel, John (Leslie) Turnmire, Joseph (Patty) Schrantz, Cassandra (Randy) Lindemann, Trevor Maves and Amanda (Shane) Henry; and 21 great-grandchildren who were the light of her life. She is further survived by her sister, Beverly Stewart of Jefferson.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Andy; three brothers; two sons-in-law; and a grandson.
Helen worked at Schweigers Furniture Factory for many years as her children were growing up, but the job she truly loved was driving a school bus. She started driving alongside her husband in 1938, and continued doing so when the family moved to Jefferson. Helen began driving for the Foskett Bus Company in 1959, and was the company’s first female bus driver. She retired from driving in 1990, at 71 years old. She was proud to say she was driving the third generation of “her kids”. Helen was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, and enjoyed many years singing soprano in the Adult Choir. Her hobbies were crocheting beautiful doilies and gardening.
A Mass of Celebration will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH in Jefferson, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at 2 p.m. A fellowship gathering will be held one hour prior to the Mass. An open house will immediately follow the Mass at the FIREMAN’S PARK on Hwy P in Rome, WI. The SCHMUTZLER-VICK FUNERAL HOME in Watertown, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.watertownwifuneralhome.com
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please give a monetary donation. Proceeds will go to Rainbow Hospice in Helen's honor.