Obituary of Helma Babetta Louis

Helma Julia Babetta Louis, age 93, passed away on Saturday, May 30th with family by her side at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Helma was born to William and Frieda (Hartwig) Keeser on January 14th, 1922 in Watertown, Wisconsin in a home on Utah Street. She was the middle child of three between older brother George and younger brother Ervin. Her father emigrated from Germany when he was 16 years old. Her mother also came from a German family so Helma grew up in a typical German Wisconsin household. She could speak the language fluently and learned how to prepare traditional German meals that family enjoyed. During her childhood, Helma spent many hours each day outdoors working on the farm and often told stories about herding cattle and playing down by the river. As a young woman, she loved to dance and frequented the local music halls. She married Willard Thomaschaske and together had a son, Douglas. �She later married John Louis and they had a daughter, Judith. �They resided in Jefferson before settling in Fort Atkinson and were married until his death in 1987. Life was very difficult for Helma at times but she managed to maintain a positive outlook and was a source of encouragement to others. She was a very social person who loved getting to know people and making new friends. �Helma loved dogs and had many as pets during her lifetime, keeping treats for them in her purse. �She appreciated a good thrift shop, a cup of coffee, family restaurants, hamburgers, and country drives. Helma and her daughter were very close and she looked forward to their daily phone calls and frequent visits. �Though her son lived far away for many years and she wasn�t able to see him as often, she loved him and his family dearly. �She had six grandchildren who fondly remember her making them yummy lunches. �She always had ice cream sandwiches in the freezer and summer sausage in the fridge. �She enjoyed watching the kids play around the yard and at the park. �Helma had nine great-grandchildren. Some of them liked to call her �Louie the Great� and especially enjoyed getting ice cream with her during their visits. Everyone who knew Helma will remember her unique sense of style. �She was rarely without lipstick, and colorful earrings and hats were staples of her attire. �She will also be remembered for her coy smile and twinkly eyes. �Helma was one of Jehovah�s Witnesses and enjoyed speaking with people about her faith and hope for the future. She was predeceased by her husband John, stillborn daughter Genevieve, her brothers George and Ervin Keeser, nephews Billy and Bobby, and beloved son-in-law Richard Bardeleben. �She is survived by her son �Dougie� (Kathy) Thomaschaske, daughter Judy Bardeleben, grandchildren April (Derek), Brent, Laurel (Derrick), and Tiffany (Tony); Serenity (Scott) and Kiara (Evan); and great-grandchildren Cayden, Jayden, Brayden, Jayla, Chloe, Isla; Zella, Penny, and Louis. A memorial service for Helma will be held on Sunday, June 7th at 2:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah�s Witnesses, W6185 Hackbarth Rd., Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Blackhawk Senior Residence, Alden Estates and Rainbow Hospice for their care and kindness. They are also grateful to the many friends who visited Helma regularly throughout the years.