Mare Catherine Helgemo went home to be with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

Marie was born on February 13, 1923 in Stambaugh, Mich.; she was the daughter of the late Victor and Martha (Kreger) Zaiki. Marie was the youngest daughter in a family of seven children.

Marie graduated from Stambaugh High School with the class of 1940. Following high school she attended business school and then went to Chicago where she was employed at the Pullman Company as an accountant.

In 1950, she returned home to Iron County where she met and married the love of her life, Wayne Helgemo. They made their home in Gaastra where they lived their entire lives. Wayne preceded her in death on December 3, 1997.

Marie and Wayne were blessed with three children Ella Mae, Bob and Bill. Marie was a loving wife and mother and dedicated to her family. Marie and Wayne loved to travel. Following Wayne’s retirement they traveled south each winter spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include one daughter Ella Mae Ables, Iron River; two sons Robert (Judy), Plover, and William (Charlotte), Ludington Mich.; 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband Wayne, Marie was preceded in death by four brothers, Donald, Johnny, Leo and Robert and by two sisters Bernice (Harry) Tansley and Jean (John) Piwarski; and by one granddaughter Dawn Marie Vassar.

Marie’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to granddaughter Bobbie Jo Czaikowski and her husband Mark and their family for welcoming Gramma into their home and caring for her the last year of her life.

The family would also like to thank granddaughter Missy Brzoznowski for her warm and tender care for Gramma during the last days and for including her in special family events over the years.

Interment will be at the Iron River Cemetery. A memorial and graveside service will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements by the Pisarski Funeral Home of Stevens Point.