Donna Jean Helmer

Donna Jean Helmer passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025, her 70th birthday, at NHC nursing home in Columbia, Tennessee after a long, brave health battle.

Born the oldest child of Oleta and Loile Koeppen in St. John’s, MI, she spent her childhood farming in the mid-Michigan countryside. After moving several times in her childhood, Donna graduated from Ionia HIgh School in 1974.

She married Dennis Helmer on June 7th, 1975, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised three kids--two girls and a boy.

A devoted mother, she enjoyed taking her children to the lake and on picnics in the summer. As well as gardening, playing ball, and sledding in the winter. Donna was a 4-H leader for many years, took meals and treats to shut-ins, loved singing in the church choir, and was quite a handy craftswoman. She loved cows, cooking, John Deere tractors, and Jesus.

Donna worked as a janitor and wore many other hats at St. John’s Lutheran in Ionia. Truly, she desired to be a nurse and was finally able to go back to school to get her nursing degree in the 1990’s, and work as a nurse until her health began to fail several years ago.

Donna was a loyal daughter, friend, wife, and mother. Surviving her are her siblings Louis (Sally) Koeppen, Earl (Patty) Koeppen, and Mary Towers: her husband Dennis, children Jennifer (Robert) Cardenas, Christina (Paul) Frost, and Dennis (Elizabeth) Helmer. She leaves behind her much loved grandchildren: Autumn (John) Harvey, Olivia (Wes) Cardenas; Abigail, Adam, and Charles Frost; and DJ, Joseph, Grace and Sarah Helmer; great-grandchild Sage Harvey; special friends Pat Ludwick and Kim Jackson who were so helpful and supportive in life.

Celebrating her birthday in heaven, while welcoming her with open arms, are her mother and father, her sister Marlene, nephews Scott and Frank, and two grandbabies.

Graveside services will take place in Eureka Cemetery, St. John’s, MI, on Saturday, August 30th at 11 am. The family appreciates any donations to assist with the funeral expenses; they can be made through Christina Frost.