Helen Thayer

Madison - Helen Thayer, 92, died on December 17, 2015 at Agrace HospiceCare, Madison.
She was born April 28, 1923 in Fort Atkinson, daughter of Fred and Sibyl (Shook) Ludeman. Following graduation from the Fort Atkinson High School in 1939, Helen worked as a secretary at Moe Brothers Manufacturing Company (later known as Thomas Industries) before moving to Madison in 1946. She retired in 1988 after nearly 40 years employment as secretary in the UW-Madison Department of Military Science (Army ROTC). She was a very active charter member of Bethany United Methodist Church and enjoyed family, friends, music and especially volunteering, which she continued after moving to Oakwood Village University Woods in May, 2008.
Helen is survived by daughter-in-law, Rosanda Suetopka Thayer, Hotevilla, Arizona; granddaughter, Somana (Leonard) Tootsie, Flagstaff, Arizona; grandson, Michael Thayer (Angelena Hawee), Phoenix; and sister, Mary Ebbott, Whitewater. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Sonakih and Lomanaqwa Yaiva and Kiyoma Tootsie, Andres and Mikayla Thayer; nephews, John Ebbott (Joan Wentworth), Helenville, and William Ebbott (Nancy Paul), Madison; great nephew, Jack (Jo Ann) Ebbott, Madison; great niece, Kristi Ebbott, Oshkosh; special friend, Gail Kincaid, Jefferson; and former husband, Earl Thayer, Madison.
In addition to her son, Steven, who died in September 1988, Helen was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Robert Ludeman; and brother-in-law, John Ebbott.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, 2:00 pm, at Bethany United Methodist Church, 3910 Mineral Point Road, Madison. Cremains will be interred at the Hebron Cemetery in rural Fort Atkinson at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Music Department of Bethany United Methodist Church, 3910 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705; the Hebron United Methodist Church, N2349 County D, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538; the Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705; or Agrace HospiceCare Foundations, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.

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