Obit: Ayer, Helen Genevieve #2 (1922 - 2009)

Contact: R. Lipprandt
Email:  bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Ayer, Barker, Bloom, Dallman, Hanson, Johnson, Rahm, Schultz, Wilford

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), Wednesday, April 22, 2009, Online Edition

Ayer, Helen Genevieve (Johnson) (May 11, 1922 - April 15, 2009)

Helen Genevieve Ayer died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at her home in Unity, Wis.

Helen was born May 11, 1922, in the Town of Unity to John W. and Signe Johnson. She attended and graduated from Unity High School. She attended the Lacrosse Beauty School of Wausau. In 1941, she worked as a beautician in Woodruff. She moved back to central Wisconsin and worked as a beautician in Spencer in 1942. One year later she purchased the shop and become the owner/operator.

Helen married Melvin W. Ayer October 14, 1944. They took up residence in the Town of Unity, Wis. There she helped her husband run a family farm. In 1962, she opened Helen's Beauty Shoppe of rural Unity, Wis. In 1968, Helen and Melvin moved to Colby, where she was the owner/operator of Helen's Style Shop. She retired from that position in 1971. With her husband, she ran Ayer's Supermarket and Meat Processing of Unity, Wis. Together they operated the store until 1981.

Helen and Melvin raised four boys, Warren, Bob, Doug, and Brad. Together they enjoyed life on Pier Lake in the summer and in Unity during the winter. She was an avid bowler, quilter, square dancer, fisherman, and gardener. She especially enjoyed visits from her family and friends.

Helen and Melvin celebrated 60 years of marriage together in 2004. Helen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School and served on many committees.

Helen is survived by her four sons, Warren (Debbie) of Freemont, Robert (Roxanne) of Columbus, Douglas (Judy) of Merrill, and Bradley (Jane) of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Jeff (Arlene) and great-grandchild, Autumn of Forest Lake, Minn., Annette (Jared) Barker of Green Bay, Ashley (Nick) Schultz of Columbus, Danielle of Stevens Point, Scott and John of Merrill, and Ryan of Clear Lake.

She is also survived by her sisters, Verna Dallman, Unity, and Eileen Dallman, Holcombe; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin in 2005; her parents, Signe and John Johnson; brother, Walter; and a sister, Vivian Bloom.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Unity, Wis. Burial was in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Unity, Wis. The Reverend Dale Wilford presided. Pallbearers were Emery Rahm, Gale Hanson, Jim Dallmann, Ken Johnson, Dennis Bloom and Brian Dallmann.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Maurina/Schilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford, and one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Paid obituary

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