Helen E. (Brickheimer) Schillinger

Helen E. Schillinger, 93, died March 16, 2024, at Copperleaf of Schofield Assisted Living where she had resided since October of 2017. She passed under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

She was born July 13, 1930, in Athens, WI, daughter of the late Joseph and Gladys (Dygart) Brickheimer. On July 1, 1950, she was united in marriage to Silverious “Silver” Schillinger at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. They had been married 64 yrs. before Silver passed on January 19, 2015.

Helen attended Athens High School only thru 10th grade as her brothers went to War, and she had to then work in her family’s Cheese Factory. After years of working as a Sales Clerk in all 3 J.C. Penney Company locations in Wausau, she retired in 1987 to babysit her first grandchild. Helen was a lifelong Parishioner of St. Michael Catholic Church Wausau since 1951. A member of P.C.C.W Rosary Society and Circle 1. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother for the church.

She was content and happy with her “stay- at-home- Grandmother” role for her four grandchildren, whom she loved and was very proud of. In later years, she became a loving companion to her grand-dog, “Weenie” the Dachshund, who joined “Papa” on 12/19/2015.

She cherished the tradition of hosting rummage sales on Park Avenue for over 50 years, and delighted in picking night crawlers. She once gathered an astounding 1,100 in a single night to sell at Bradley WI Bait Shop for only 15 cents per dozen back in the 1960s.

She enjoyed and loved the simple pleasures of baking and decorating cut out cookies for all occasions, making strawberry freezer jam, and playing Kings in the Corner. Grandchildren loved her Cream of Wheat with bananas, Roast Beef dinner with mashed potatoes and sweet carrots, and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, but especially her homemade rolls with butter and jam!

For many years people enjoyed her delicious “Frosted Angel Food Funeral Cake”

Survivors include her 2 children, Keith Schillinger, Weston and Karen Kinney, Wausau; four grandchildren, Marissa (Dale Emmons) Riedel, San Francisco, CA, Aaron (Olivia Stiles) Riedel, Madison, Jeremy (Fiancé, Olivia Karlen) Schillinger, Weston and Matthew “Matt” Schillinger, Wausau, her sisters; Joan Mader, Athens and Geri Eder, Missouri, many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, along with her former daughter-in-law, Lisa Schillinger, Weston. Besides her parents and Silver, she was preceded in death by her oldest son, Kenneth who passed away October 29, 1972, at the age of 20 by a Drunk Driver. Brothers Robert, Harry and Donald Brickheimer and sisters Beatrice Lesczynski, Margaret Revling, Mabel Schreindl, Dolores Placek and  Arlene Horrigan.

“She held on with hope for the upcoming October wedding of Jeremy and Olivia, knowing that she will be there in spirit, guiding them with love and warmth.”

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. The Rev. Thomas Linder will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street and again on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren; Marissa and Aaron Riedel and Jeremy and Matthew Schillinger.

The family would like to thank Dr. Steven Nichols, Dr. Rezazadeh, Dr. Krolicki who promised mom “You Will Never Go Blind On My Watch,” Bernie Stremikus, NP of Aspirus Palliative Care, Beth McQuillin, RN of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, Staff and Residents of Copperleaf Assisted Living Schofield, including Sandy Rolain “Beautician”, Life Enrichment Coordinator, Carolann Schraeder, Goddaughter, Diane Fischer, and Niece, Deb Horrigan. Ken’s girlfriend Carla Smedberg who survived the Accident in 1972, has remained “Forever Close” to Helen, even visiting her the day before she died.

We are very thankful for all the love and kindness shown by friends and family during this time.