Mildred Helmkamp

Mildred Helmkamp was a kind and loving mother and grandmother. With an endless supply of energy, she meticulously maintained her home, nurtured her two children and spoiled her grandchildren with love. Family was always first in her heart. Mildred was patient, caring and generous with her time and never thought twice about going out of her way to help someone in need.

The world of 1912 was one of turbulent anticipation. Many citizens of the United States left their farms and headed for the cities to take part in something historians would one day call the Industrial Revolution. The skies had darkened over Europe as a Great War loomed on the horizon. It was into this rapidly changing setting that Andrew and Christina (Beckler) Dahmer of Saginaw, Michigan, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Mildred, on August 27, 1912. The youngest of ten children, Mildred had plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable childhood memories with six brothers and three sisters. She attended Saginaw Public Schools through the 12th grade. However, she had to take a leave from school in her senior year because of facial injuries she sustained in a serious car accident. Mildred returned the next year to complete her high school education and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1931.

Mildred’s life took a new direction when she met and married William Edgar Helmkamp in 1934. After marrying, the newlyweds moved to Flint, Michigan, where William found work as an engineer with General Motors, Fisher Body Plant. It was here that Mildred and William welcomed the birth of their two children: Dennis born in 1939, and Sharon in 1945. Mildred loved being a mother. Her children were her passion and it was her mission to be a part of every phase of their lives. Their son, Dennis, was born with special needs and Mildred devoted much of her time to caring for him. However, she was able to balance being a caretaker with being an attentive wife and mother. Time together as a family was always important to Mildred and William. When Dennis was in a home for people with special needs, they would regularly visit him, perhaps going on picnics or a ride through the countryside. Meanwhile, they took Sharon on fun vacations, including several trips to Florida.

After William retired from GM in 1965, he and Mildred began to travel more frequently, sightseeing throughout the United States. They had more time to enjoy some of their favorite pastimes together – playing ping-pong, bowling, and playing cards, both bridge and double solitare. After 53 years of living in Flint, Mildred and William decided to move to Holland in 1987 to be closer to their daughter Sharon, her husband Douglas and their four children - her precious grandchildren, whom she adored. Although her life was happy, Mildred suffered a great loss in the passing of her beloved William in 1992.

Mildred had many interests to keep her busy, which usually centered on her family. She was a wonderful cook and was known to keep her house in the utmost tip-top shape. She loved to clean so once a week the furniture all got moved so that she could clean from top to bottom. Every Saturday night was set aside for watching Lawrence Welk, perhaps while knitting another of her beautiful afghans. And when the weather was the nicest, you could find Mildred tending to her garden, which was her absolute favorite place to relax. A truly devoted mother, Mildred still had her son Dennis come home and stay for a short time, which was quite a feat for a 91-year-old woman. With family as the cornerstone of her life, it is no wonder that Mildred’s most cherished possessions included her wedding ring, her lovely home and her precious family, especially her 4 grandchildren, Christina, Rob, Jeanette, and William and 3 great grandchildren, Kaylie, Jaxson and Elijah.

Although Mildred will be deeply missed, she leaves her children with many great memories, but mostly importantly, the unforgettable example of what a wonderful mother and grandmother can be.

Mildred Helmkamp, age 92 of Holland, MI, died on Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at The Inn at Freedom Village. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Helmkamp, and her six brothers and three sisters. Mildred is survived by her children: Dennis Helmkamp of Lake Odessa, and Sharon and Douglas Sutherland of Holland; 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11, at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, Michigan. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Friends may spend time with her family one-hour prior to the service. Please visit Mildred’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Hope Network West Michigan, For Pearl Street Home, P. O. Box 141, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0141.