Betty Jane Helle (nee Schramm), 87, passed peacefully to eternal life on 8/9/12 while at the Orchard Villa Senior Care Center. Betty was born Feb. 22, 1925, in Toledo and was a life-long resident in the Toledo area. She was the beloved wife of Clarence “Clary” Helle for 61 years until his death in 2002.
Betty and Clarence owned and operated Helle Pools in Oregon,Ohio, until Clary’s death in 2002. The business was continued by son Jim through 2007 with Betty in the pool store selling pool supplies, providing advice and chatting with customers. Betty was “The Pool Lady” in the pool store for 40 years. Betty enjoyed the friendship with customers and enjoyed the many encounters with pool customers when out and about around the Toledo and Oregon areas. The pool business being a seasonal business allowed Betty and Clary to spend many enjoyable winters in Florida.
Betty was a young girl during the depression years and young married mother during WWII when Clary was in the Phillipines. Living during this period under these conditions made Betty very appreciative of the secure and prospering family life she and Clary enjoyed after the War. The personal values developed during these early years of maintaining a faith in God, getting a good education, working hard for what you get and appreciating what you have were all values passed on to children and grandchildren.
Betty enjoyed big band music and was known as an excellent ballroom dancer. For many years
Saturday nights were dance nights spent at the El Rancho Ballroom and other dance places in the Toledo area. She was also a good square dance partner.
Betty is survived by daughter and son-in-law Judy and Ed Pearson, son and daughter-in-law Kay and Jim Helle; sister-in-law Jane Schramm; grandchildren; Dena Reese, Matt Pearson, Mindy Helle Zigler, Mark Helle and Lori Helle Pickering; and great-grandchildren; Alexis and Tyler Reese, Taylor and Grant Romstadt, Evan and Sage Zigler and Luke and Mallory Pickering. Also surviving; many nieces and nephews. Betty will also be missed by family and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents - George and Ethel Schramm; loving husband Clarence; sister, Margaret Hughes; brothers Jim and George (Bob) Schramm and grandson Dennie Romstadt.
The family will welcome friends at Freck Funeral Chapel, Monday, August 13th from 2-8 p.m. A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, August 14th at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Allen Township Cemetery, Williston, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or American Cancer Society.
“Thank you to the staff at Parkcliffe Community and to Orchard Villa for the kindness and care you gave Betty.”