Helen Siverling

Helen A. Siverling, age 97, formerly of Bruce, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024, under the special care of Dr. Bruxvoort & Nurse Practitioner Ness, and the caring staff at Dove Healthcare, Bloomer, WI.

Helen was born at her parent's house in Bloomer, WI on December 8, 1927, the daughter of Gustave "Gus" and Anna (Nordholm) Norman. She had two older brothers: Lorne, who attended UW-Madison Engineering School & played in the UW band; and Ted, who had a special talent for drawing.

Mom grew up in Bloomer during the depression and World War II. Her dad worked at the train station in Bloomer, and she vividly remembers her train trip to California with her dad during the war to visit her brother Lorne. The train was full of young men who had enlisted. Mom also talked about the many hours her dad Gus spent volunteering his time to start the Bloomer City golf course and how he taught himself to play golf & musical instruments. She fondly recalled swimming in the Bloomer Pond and ended up living next to it at Dove. She grew up during the big band swing era and introduced us to some great music from that time. After high school, mom attended Luther Nursing School in Eau Claire from 1946-1949 earning her RN in nursing.

Helen married her high school sweetheart, Gerald "Jerry" Siverling, on June 4, 1951. Jerry graduated with a teaching degree from UW-River Falls and taught at various locations until they moved to Bruce in 1955. Mom & Dad decided to chart their own course and purchased a bar in Bruce in 1965 and named it Jerry's Log Bar. They owned & operated the bar until 1992. Mom & dad worked hard and played hard & she supported her husband's many volunteer endeavors. She tended bar during busy evenings to assist dad and during noon & supper time so dad could come home to eat. She also ran the bar when dad was called to drive ambulance, help the volunteer fire department, assist at funerals, or perform his duties as the Rusk County Coroner for 22 years. Mom's unwavering support allowed dad to do all these things. They raised two sons & mom's nursing skills were very much a comfort, as was her timing for knowing when to listen or talk with them when they were troubled. Many times, mom was busy in the kitchen cooking meals for her family while also preparing roasts for the hot beef sandwiches served at the bar, all the while singing or humming a song. It seemed like Mom was almost always wearing an apron!

Dubbed the "Tomato Queen" by her husband Jerry, Mom had an especially good talent for raising just about anything in her garden, but she excelled at raising tomatoes. Once retired Mom & Dad had beautiful flower beds and hanging plants on full display every summer. Besides gardening, mom loved to hunt, fish, golf, play cards, watch sports and the Packers (especially Lombardi's Packers). Her and Jerry used to attend Spooner Sectional basketball games with Lloyd & Wilma. Mom & Dad also traveled to the boys state basketball tournament for many years. Many good times & practical jokes were enjoyed with friends, such as: the albino rabbit in the breezeway, the billy goat in the pasture, the red Jell-O in the bathtub, the free beer/free beef signs, and many other pranks, which were unfortunately sometimes discovered by their visiting children.

Helen suffered a stroke at the family cabin in November of 2016. While this was not a devastating stroke, her legs were much weaker, so she moved to the long-term nursing facility at Dove Healthcare Chippewa Falls. During her stay at Dove Chippewa her granddaughters Kelsey & Ellen were working there & this was a tremendous help with transitioning from her beloved Bruce home. When the Chippewa facility closed, she moved to Dove Bloomer.

Helen is survived by her two sons, Alan (Candy) Siverling & Gary (Connie) Siverling, both of Chippewa Falls. She has three grandchildren from Alan's side, Andrew, Nicole & Katrina and two grandchildren from Gary's side, Kelsey & Ellen. There are seven great-grandchildren, Chad, Troy, Merick, Kanlyn, Liam, Mavis & Beverly.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Siverling (January 2004); her parents, Gustave & Anna Norman; along with her brothers, Lorne & Ted; and her in-laws, George & Grace Siverling.

Mom's favorite player of all time was Lou Gehrig & the movie "Pride of the Yankees," followed closely by "Casablanca," "The Quiet Man," "McLintock," other John Wayne movies and old black & white features. Her most used saying was: "Well for Pete's sake." Pete visited us a lot when her kids & grandkids said or did some crazy thing. Riding around in Jane's Mustang became a favorite thing to do in her later years, and they drew many looks from people. She loved hanging out with her husband, two sons & grandchildren at their various hunting camp locations in the Blue Hills. The good times we had hunting, playing cards, telling stories & enjoying visits from friends (especially Wild Bill's crew) will always be cherished. Her infectious laugh brought joy to us all.

Her many neighbors & friends that gave her the assistance she needed which allowed her to stay in her house as long as she did cannot be understated & we thank you all so much, with special thanks to Mike & Leah and Wild Bill. Jane's weekly letters to mom in the nursing home kept mom up to date with Bruce happenings & they were tremendous for mom's well-being. She was the best mother her two sons could have ever asked for & she will be truly missed & remembered for oh some many wonderful things!

Visitation starting at 12 noon with mass of Christian burial at 2 p.m. will be held on Friday, January 3 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bruce with Fr. Papi Reddy Yeruva and Deacon Tom Fuhrmann officiating. After mass, burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery followed by a luncheon in the church basement. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed in Helen's name to the charity of one's choice.

Nash-Jackan Funeral Home is assisting the family.