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Ann F. Helfer (nee McDonald), 100 years old, entered into eternal life on December 5 2025 at the Milwaukee Catholic Home. Ann was born to Leo and Florence McDonald on August 22, 1925 in Milwaukee, the second of their three children. She was raised on the east side of Milwaukee and attended St. Robert’s grade school, then went on to Holy Angels Academy, as it was known then. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Marquette University. It was there that she met her future husband, Sebastian Helfer, an Engineering student and a member of the Navy V12 program during the World War II years. Ann and “Seb” married in 1947, following his return from deployment to the Pacific and Japan after its surrender.Eventually they built a house and settled in to Whitefish Bay, where they raised nine children. Seb worked for many years of his career at Marquette University, and Ann was equally as hard-working as a homemaker, managing their big, boisterous household. Needless to say, she rarely ever sat down, rested or took a day off. She churned out hardy meals for hungry kids and was a wonderful baker, particularly with Christmas cookies. She possessed excellent health and followed a lifestyle of good diet and exercise long before it was popular, and modeled that for her kids. Since she didn’t drive during her years as a young mother, she walked everywhere, always with a baby buggy or stroller and kids in tow, regardless of the weather. She was no stranger to the city bus system. She attended aerobics classes prior to that trend sweeping the country, and enjoyed riding her bicycle. Ann and Seb were longtime members and active volunteers at Holy Family parish, where their children attended grade school. Everyday life for the Helfer family revolved around the parish and the Dominican sisters and the priests. Ann filled several volunteer roles through the years there, including membership in the Ladies’ Sodality, Cub Scout and Brownie leader, Eucharistic Minister, Liturgical Reader, altar duties and several Rosary and prayer groups. She attended spiritual retreats at The Cenacle. She was on the parish prayer chain and took that responsibility very seriously. It cannot be stressed enough how Ann’s deep and unwavering faith in God and in His goodness directed her everyday life and was the foundation of her mothering and guiding nine growing children. She was a daily Mass attender and Communicant. She supported the Right to Life movement, and at election time, voted her Catholic conscience in that regard, always. With her journalism skills, Ann was the parent her kids went to for help with any homework requiring reading and writing; she referred the math help to Seb, the engineer. She wrote articles for the parish bulletin now and then; she was excellent at penning hand-written personal letters. She was an avid reader, and read storybooks to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She volunteered at Cardinal Stritch College in a preschool program there, as she truly had a gift with small children. There wasn’t a crossword puzzle she couldn’t complete, in pen, no less. Her older kids fondly remember her sketching their portraits in pencil at the kitchen table. In keeping with her active lifestyle and green thumb, she loved working in her flower garden, near the statue of the Blessed Mother. She was of Irish ancestry, and passed along many an Irish poem, prayer, song or joke to her kids. It goes without saying, she had a quick Irish wit and an appreciation for a good laugh.Her only luxury? A weekly appointment at the hair salon, much deserved. Oh, and an evening glass of White Zinfandel wine, with an ice cube or two. Ann had a lifetime of wonderful friends, whom she cherished. She kept in contact with girlfriends from high school and college. She and Seb enjoyed a weekly Friday night gathering of the “fish fry group” of longtime Holy Family friends, and the “sheepshead crowd” of college friends. She held dear her years-long friendships with the “muffin ladies” from church. Seb and Ann traveled as they got older and had more time to do so; later Ann traveled the country to see each and every grandchild and great-grandchild celebrate birthdays, holidays, sacraments and graduations. Ann, widowed and with failing eyesight, moved into the Milwaukee Catholic Home in 2010. She joined old friends residing there, and made new ones. She continued to be a Eucharistic Minister, liturgical reader and rosary participant in the chapel, for as long as she was able. Gradually losing her vision, she was grateful for talking books provided for her by the Library for the Blind, and still enjoyed the many musical performances and daily lectures and activities. Never once did she complain about her visual disability. Never. Instead, she counted her many blessings.Ann is preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Sebastian; precious son David, son-in-law Rob Jicha; granddaughter Vanessa Kimbrell; parents Leo and Florence McDonald; sister Sr. Etienne McDonald, BVM; and brother John McDonald.She is deeply missed and survived by her children Sue Larsen (Sam) of Minneapolis; Steve Helfer (Anne) of Mequon; Sandy Peters (Brian) of Phoenix; Dan Helfer (Chris Kaufmann) of Minocqua; Laurie Brahm (Dan) of Elm Grove; Meg Rogers (Bob) of San Antonio; Mickey Jicha (the late Rob) of Wauwatosa; and Katie Hudek (Chuck) of Omaha.She is further survived by 26 grandchildren who fondly called her Granmma, and 43 great-grandchildren (with one on the way), some of whom gave her the final badge of honor, GiGi.The family wishes to express their untold gratitude for all the dedicated staff members at MCH who have made our Mom so comfortable and loved over the years.Visitation is planned for Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Milwaukee Catholic Home in the St. Anne's Chapel, 2462 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, to be followed immediately afterward by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. The celebrant will be Fr. Tim Kitzke, Ann’s longtime friend. Lunch will be served after Mass in the Astor Room. In lieu of flowers, a gift to the Milwaukee Catholic Home would be much appreciated.

Ann F. Helfer

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