Elsie M. Helmbrecht

Elsie M. Helmbrecht, age 69, of Lytton, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2005, at her home, following a sudden illness.
Elsie Mae Scheffler was born April 22, 1935, in Sac County, Iowa, the daughter of Milton C. and Lula (Means) Scheffler. The family lived in rural Sac County, moving into Sac City in the 1940’s.

Elsie was a member of the First Christian Church in Sac City where she was baptized by immersion as a child. Following her marriage she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on January 15, 1956, at the Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton.

She attended Sac City schools graduating from the Sac City High School. Following graduation she went on to attend Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

On December 12, 1954, Elsie was united in marriage at the First Christian Church to Ronald Frederick Helmbrecht of Lytton, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Kimberly, Sherry, Maryl, and Timothy.

Elsie was a homemaker and helped with the family farming operation. She and Ron retired from farming in 1997. She enjoyed her flower garden, fishing, playing cards and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Special memories include family vacations and fishing trips. Her grandchildren will always remember her chocolate cakes, their birthday cakes, and her delicious beef and noodles. Celebrating Elsie and Ron’s 50th wedding anniversary in Branson, Missouri will be a memory the entire family will remember.

Survivors include her children; Kimberly Sue Lager and husband Kenneth of Bedford, IA, Sherry Ann Helmbrecht of Abilene, TX, Maryl Lyn Sponder and husband Thomas of Sioux City, IA, and Timothy Fred Helmbrecht and wife Kimberly of Ankeny, IA; and her nine grandchildren: Kurt and Kyle Lager, Devyn, David, and Sarah Sponder, and Tiffany, Austin, Gabrielle, and Arianna Helmbrecht. Other survivors include her brothers and sisters; Fred and Mary Scheffler, Eugene and Diane Scheffler, Robert Scheffler, Donald and Florence Scheffler, Sandra and Verlyn Jarvis, Frances and Marvin Schettler, and Shirley Bales.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Lula Scheffler; husband, Ronald on August 15, 2004; brother, Clifford; and four young sisters, Margaret, Carolyn, Pamela and one in infancy.

Funeral services for Elsie will be held Wednesday, March 23rd, 2:00 p.m., at Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton with Pastor Wayne Pfannkuch officiating. Kay Scharn will accompany musical selections by Rich Hecht. Marlene Meyer, Barbk Kelly, Becky Scheffler, and Mary Meyers will take care of the flower arrangements. Honorary pallbearers include the following: Devyn Sponder, David Sponder, Sarah Sponder, Gabrielle Helmbrecht, and Arianna Helmbrecht. Active pallbearers are the following: Kurt Lager, Kyle Lager, Tiffany Helmbrecht, Austin Helmbrecht, Jean Sarchet, and Brian Scheffler. Burial will be at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Lytton, Iowa, under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is Tuesday, March 22nd, 4:00-8:00 pm, at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City.