Helen Schmitt

Helen M. (Wickenhauser) Schmitt, 94, of Godfrey, died Monday, October 17, 2016, at Alton Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Helen was born August 30, 1922, in Alton, the third of five children of John and Mae (McIntosh) Wickenhauser. She graduated in 1940 from Alton High School with honors and attended Lindenwood College for Women.  During WWII, she worked for Ralph Luken Insurance in downtown Alton while her high school sweetheart, William C. (“Red” or “Bill”) Schmitt, served in the Army during the invasion and occupation of Anzio, Italy.  After he returned, they were married January 28, 1946, and celebrated their 70^th anniversary before Bill’s death on August 27, 2016.

Helen was a devoted and loving mother to her daughters, Janet (“Jan”) and Karen.  She encouraged them to pursue their dreams as attorney and artist and endowed them with her love of nature. Helen always found something to appreciate:  the clouds at sunset, her bright pink peonies, a crescent moon.  She was outdoors whenever weather permitted, gardening, walking or sitting in contemplation.  Glazebrook Park was her favorite place to walk and people watch.

Helen relished being with her daughters and grandchildren, no matter what the activity, and they adored her.  She was always willing to play card games or go sightseeing.  She enjoyed botanical gardens, art museums and family trips to Italy, Cape Cod, and San Francisco. Recently Helen delighted in meeting her first great grandchild and exchanging smiles with him. 

During her long and happy life, Helen belonged to golf and bowling leagues, the Godfrey Women’s Club, and bridge clubs.  At the age of 94, she was still playing bridge twice a week, and together with her husband Bill, attended band concerts and took Sunday drives to Grafton to view the bluffs, the birds and the river. 

Her spirit is carried on by her two daughters, Jan (Greg) Ellis of Bloomington, IN, and Karen Seltzer (Scott Bell) of Indianapolis, IN; three grandchildren, Will Seltzer of Berkeley, CA, Elaine Ellis (Julien Pinol) of San Francisco, CA, and Karen (Blake) Ward of Charlestown, IN; and 3-month-old great-grandchild, Quinton Ward.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial celebration on Sunday, October 23, 2016, from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, at Glazebrook Park, Shelter #2, 1401 Stamper Lane, Godfrey.  Memorials may be made to Glazebrook Park, c/o Godfrey Village Parks & Recreation Dept., 6810 Godfrey Rd.,  or to The Nature Institute, 2213 S. Levis Lane, Godfrey, IL 62035.  Online condolences and guest book may be found on the website of Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey: www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.

Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home