Helen A. Martin

Helen “Shorty” A. Martin, 81, of 431 Thomas Street, Fond du Lac, died Sunday, May 23, 2010, at home.She was born on March 11, 1929, in Fond du Lac, a daughter of Edward C. and Gertrude L. Meyer Wilhelms.On February 19, 1955, she married Fredrick L. Martin at St. Peter’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac.Shorty, as she preferred to be called, worked at Wells Manufacturing for over 28 years, retiring in 1985. She was a member of the West Side Bowling League. Shorty’s favorite hobbies included fishing, gardening, assembling puzzles, paint by number,dancing, camping, and traveling. Helen was a charter member of Luther Memorial Church, and attended Grace Lutheran Church in Live Oak, Florida on her extended stays in Georgia.She is survived by four children: Cheryl (Robert) Davidson of Sale City, Georgia, Walter (Diane) Martin of Greenville, Wisconsin, Carl (Joanne) Martin of Oakfield, and Dawn (Stuart) Powell of Fond du Lac; eight grandchildren: Craig (Kelly) Martin, Daniel Martin, Barbara (Justin) Laning, Hannah (Aric) Bengal, Nathan Martin, and Stuart and Erica Powell, and Patti-Jo Bovee; three great-grandchildren: Miranda Laning, and a baby Laning on the way, Aiden and Danika Bengal; one sister, Mary Ann (Joseph) Woicek of North Fond du Lac; two brothers: Franklin (Joan) Wilhelms of Fond du Lac, Lester (Marcia) Wilhelms of Fond du Lac; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Wilhelms of Fond du Lac and Delores Wilhelms of Dotyville; and one brother-in-law, Milton Wood of Ripon.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred on December 27, 1996; three brothers: Earl Wilhelms, William Wilhelms, Robert (Caroline) Wilhelms; six sisters: Bernice Floyd, Johanna Reinhold, Ruth (Omar) Steinmitz, Dorothy Wood, June (Wally) Hagenau, and Rose (Earl) Buchholz.The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at Luther Memorial Church, 134 21st Street, Fond du Lac, with Pastor David Naumann officiating. Burial will follow in Ledgeview Memorial Park.The visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, at Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Wednesday at church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Helen A. Martin

March 11, 1929 - May 23, 2010