Celeste Eleanor Helmke

Celeste Helmke, age 84, of Lake Wilson, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Hospice of Murray County in Slayton, Minnesota. Her family will host a Memorial Gathering of Family and Friends at the Skandia Evangelical Free Church in Balaton.

A Celebration of Celeste’s Life (on what would have been her 85th birthday) will be 2:00 pm Monday, November 17, 2025 at Skandia Evangelical Free Church, rural Balaton.

Celeste was the first child born to Philip and Elizabeth Perron on November 17, 1940, in St. Paul. Growing up on the family farm definitely fueled the ‘LITTLE’ collection of adorable piggy knick-knacks & keepsakes. She graduated from Mounds View High School in 1959. Celeste met and fell in love with Sherril Herman Helmke and they married on September 2, 1961, at United Church of Christ in New Brighton. To this union three sons were born: Mark, Erik and Chris. The couple raised their three angelic sons in Minnesota and Colorado. The couple moved back to Minnesota in the early 1990s making Lake Wilson their home, and Skandia their church. Sherril passed away suddenly in 2012.

Celeste became very ill in late March of this year, battling infections and suffering from constant pain. She was finally freed from her disease and 100% healed on November 9, 2025. She had reached the age of 84 years, 11 months and 22 days. She was a longtime member of Skandia Evangelical Free Church. Celeste treasured keeping in touch with everyone in her family, especially her grandchildren and all of her friends. She enjoyed reading all kinds of books, watching movies and television programs, and making special treats like Puffy Pancakes with Lingon Berries and Caramel Puffcorn. She delighted in decorating for the holidays especially Christmas with all of her dancing and singing snowmen. Celeste never lost her indulgence for chocolate and Diet Dr. Pepper.

Celeste is survived by her three sons, Mark (Susan) of Hennepin County, Erik (Liz) of Lake Wilson and Marshall, Chris (Shannon) of rural Cottonwood; granddaughters, Samantha and Colleen; grandsons, Trey and Cody; great grandchildren, Damien and Victoria ‘Tori’; sisters, Nancy (Ron) Tschetter of Rapid City, SD, Suzanne (Terry) Hess of Sarasota, FL; brothers, Pep Perron of Cedar, and John (Jennifer) Perron of Forest Lake; cousin, Greg (Faye) Helmke of Lake Wilson; Auntie Mugs Seibert of New Brighton; and many more relatives and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; husband; and a grandson, Kyle Helmke.

Blessed be her memory.

Celeste’s family are very grateful for all of your love and prayers, and each thoughtfulness you have shown them.