Janette Amy Helixon
Janette Amy (Pfahning) Helixon, age 81, of Menomonie, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 18, 2016, following an extended illness.
Jan was born in Auburndale, WI on June 24, 1935, the daughter of Edward and Amy (Amble) Pfahning. She was the oldest of six children, graduating from Marshfield Columbus High School in 1953. After high school, Jan worked as a secretary in the Marshfield area. She married Patrick Helixon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield on August 24, 1957.
Jan and Pat spent their early years in Eau Claire, Madison, and Augusta while Pat finished his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In 1963, they moved to Menomonie where Pat taught and coached. Together, they owned and operated The Pub and My Style, and raised four children.
Jan and Pat were blessed with many years of camping, bowling, golfing, and ball games with family and friends. She was an avid reader and sports fan, lovingly cheering on her coaching husband and active children through countless games for the Menomonie High School Indians, Mount Senario College Fighting Saints, Army West Point Black Knights, Menomonie Blues men’s softball team, The Main Place women’s softball team, American Legion baseball team, and UW-La Crosse Eagles women’s softball team.
Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer about ten years ago and remained healthy until the cancer returned in the fall of 2013. Starting with hospice care in September 2015, she was blessed to be able to stay at home with Pat and her children until her passing.
Survivors include her husband Pat and four children, Joel (Linda) Helixon of Tucson, AZ, Lora (Brian) Benrud of Menomonie, Jenny Benedict (Terry Gilbertson) of Eau Claire, and Chris (Tracy) Helixon of Onalaska.
She is also survived by her twelve grandchildren, Adam and Heather Bird, and Jay Helixon; Andy (Siri), Matt (Jenny), Nikki, and Jimmy (Maddy) Benrud; Bailey and Kerry Benedict; and Isaac, Michael, and Ellie Helixon; eight great-grandchildren; siblings Dee Goldbach of Marshfield, Laney (Mike) Wohlgemuth of Hollister, CA, Rick (Mary Ann) Pfahning of Eau Claire, and Dan (Terrill) Pfahning of Kalispell, MT; sisters-in-law Fran Pfahning-Baldwin of Kalispell, MT and Gloria Helixon of Phillips; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Jan was preceded in death by her father in 1990, mother in 2000, brother Jim in 2000, brother-in-law Paul Goldbach in 2009, brother-in-law Dennie Helixon in 2011, and several other Pfahning and Helixon family members.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their kind and compassionate care over the last twelve months, with special thanks to Tracy and JJ who were with her from the beginning.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie, with Rev. James Kurzynski officiating. A private burial will be at a later date in Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Menomonie and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.