Dolores Helmer

MADISON, WI / COXSACKIE, N.Y.

Dolores R. (Rabl) Helmer, age 73, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, WI.

Dolores was born in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. on December 19, 1941 to the late Roman and Rose (Sterbenz) Rabl. At age 7, she moved with her family to Coxsackie, N.Y. where she graduated from Coxsackie-Athens High School with the Class of '59. She married Martin Helmer in 1962. Dolores worked as a secretary for the Greene County Department of Social Services as well as for various divisions within the New York State Retirement System until her retirement in 2006. She was a longtime member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Coxsackie where she was active in the Choir and the Rosary Altar Society.

Dolores had a love of music and was particularly passionate about German music and dance. She played the clarinet, accordion, and piano and was active in various community music groups. She also had a love of animals, in particular her dog, Heidi.

In 2013, Dolores moved to Madison to be closer to her daughter and family.
Dolores will be dearly missed by her daughter, Erika Helmer, and son-in-law, Jim Omohundro; grandchildren, Eliza, Emma, Will and Charlie; brother, Raymond (Pat) Rabl; nieces, Nicole (Jeff) Giebelhaus and Cherisse (Augie) Young; great-nieces, Lynea Giebelhaus and Erin Young; great-nephew, Ryan Giebelhaus; and lifelong friends, Janet Dolan and Anita Bauer Nolan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Rose.

A Memorial Mass will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2015 at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 2121 Rowley Ave., Madison, WI, with Father Simon Felix Michalski, O.P. presiding. Family will greet friends starting at 10 am. A reception will follow.

An additional service and burial will take place in Coxsackie, N.Y. at 9:30 a.m. on June 27, 2015 at St. Mary's Church, 80 Mansion St. with Father John Moyna presiding. Burial and a reception will follow mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Church, 80 Mansion St., Coxsackie, N.Y. 12051 or Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com


Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434