Helen E. Sellhausen (nee Offenbecher), 84 of West Bend passed away on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 at Serenity Villa Assisted Living in Slinger.

Helen was born on Dec. 26, 1927, in Milwaukee to the late Frank and Katherine Offenbecher. She graduated from Girls Tech High School in 1945. On March 22, 1947, Helen was united in marriage to the love of her life, Bill. Together they shared 63 years of marriage until Bill passed away in April, 2010. Helen worked for the Marine Bank in downtown Milwaukee for many years as a proof encoder operator.

In 1972, Helen and Bill moved from Milwaukee to Little Cedar Lake in West Bend. Since 1976, she along with Bill hosted annual Fourth of July parties that many on the lake will remember for the hourly cannon blasts. Helen enjoyed her life on the lake, talking politics, playing sheepshead and sharing many festive gatherings with family and friends. Most of all she was a loving and nurturing presence to her children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Helen will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit that strove to see the good in everything and everyone she met. Those fortunate enough to have known her will remember her generous nature, smiling face and tolerant soul. She was a gift from God, too precious for him not to take her home.

She will be sadly missed by her three children, William A. (Christine) Sellhausen of Hartford, Shiranda Deerwoman (AKA Karen Sellhausen) of Payson, Ariz., and Sandra Minney (Linda Kreutzer) of West Bend; five grandchildren, David (Jenny) Sellhausen, Cindy (Mike) Rawlings, Chris Sellhausen of Menomonee Falls, Jaimee Minney of Seattle, and Chuck (Kim Meyer) Minney of West Bend; seven greatgrandchildren; brother-inlaw, Harold Schuster of Hartland; niece, Nancy (Ken) Albrecht of New Berlin; special friends, Deane and Louise Athy of West Bend and Sandy Schlee of Germantown; along with other relatives and close friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; sister, Mary Hausknecht; sister-in-law Betty Schuster; and two brothers, Frank and Adam Offenbecher.

In honor of Helen’s wishes, private family services will be held at a later date.

Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.myrhumpatten.com.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Tracy Ermer, Nancy Neibauer and the wonderful staff at Serenity Villa Assisted Living for their loving care of our mother, along with Kim from Horizon Hospice for your gentle kindness and care. You are angles on earth and made her last residence a true home for which we will forever be grateful. We would also like to thank Deacon Mike Koebel for providing friendship and spiritual support to our family though this very difficult time.