Zempel, Helen D.

Helen D. Zempel, age 77, formerly of the Township of Bear Creek, Waupaca County, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 26, 2012 in Menasha. Helen was born on February 3, 1935 in Weston, WV, the daughter of the late William and Dona (Cutright) Burkhammer. In 1952, she graduated from Weston, WV High School. On October 14, 1956, Helen was united in marriage to Jene Zempel also in Weston, WV. The couple had lived on the Zempel family farm in the Township of Bear Creek all of their married life. Mr. Zempel preceded his wife in death on March 17, 2005. Helen had worked as a baker for many years at Mike’s Towne & Country (Now Econo Foods), Clintonville until retirement. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Clintonville where she was active with the United Methodist Women. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, drawing and painting, gardening, reading, writing family short stories and attending plays. Helen’s main focus in life was her family. She was an all-around great mother who will be greatly missed by her family. Survivors include: her daughters: Shirley (Vern) Knorr, Plattville, CO; Christine (Dave) Peabody, Waupaca; Debra Pockat (fiance, Tony Rinaldi), Appleton; Theresa (David) Johnson, Green Bay; Marcia (Robert) Mader, Menasha; her sons: Duane (Karen) Zempel and Henry (Laurel) Zempel, Appleton; 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Zona Timms, Jean Springston, Betty Dean, JoAnn Burkhammer, Weston, WV; Wilma Springston, Vienna, WV; her brother, Carl (Martha) Burkhammer, Weston, WV. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jene, her sisters, Verda Beachler and Elsie Queen, her brother, Arnett Burkhammer, her grandson, Jeremy Pockat and her great-granddaughter, Emma Hatfield. Funeral services will be held today at 2 P.M., Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, Clintonville with the Rev. Roberta Thomson officiating. Interment will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 12 noon until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church or the Theda Care at Home Hospice program. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory, Clintonville is assisting her family with the arrangements. Online condolences and a guest book may be signed at www.eberhardtstevenson.com