Kathleen B. Helphrey

Kathleen “Katie” B. (Ourada) Helphrey, age 74, passed away at her home on May 7, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 9, 1950, in Antigo, WI to Rudolph “Rudy” and Cecelia (Frisch) Ourada. She grew up in the Antigo area with her siblings where many of them honed their service skills at Rudy’s Uptown Café-her dad’s restaurant. She graduated from Antigo High School. Katie met Bill Helphrey on a chance encounter as the Air Force guys made trips from the Air Force Base in Gwinn Michigan to meet young ladies in Antigo. Their relationship blossomed into love and the two were married on June 20, 1970, at St John’s Catholic Church in Antigo, and the couple lived on the air base. Soon after their first son Bill arrived on the scene. In July of 1972, Bill was discharged from his active service, and the couple began to search for homes in the Green Bay area, and they ended up in Menasha, where they truly began to build their lives together. Son Jim arrived in 1976. She worked as a waitress at various restaurants in the Fox Valley and then “graduated” to the job she truly loved: working as a para-professional for the Menasha School District for many years.

Katie enjoyed collecting Precious Moments figurines and music boxes. She was a gifted quilter and made quilts for friends and family far and wide-quilts were part of her love language. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and the “church ladies” from St Mary’s became fast friends with whom she participated in charity work for Harbor House, Habitat for Humanity as well as making Easter baskets and Halloween treat bags for the kids. They always coupled their work with fun times enjoying food. She helped with after school programs and taught CCD courses.

Family was a primary focus for Katie. She loved to spend time with “her boys”, her siblings and grandchildren. She enjoyed decorating for Christmas and would transform the home into a winter wonderland. She was a proud grandma who relished in spoiling her grandsons at every opportunity. She and Bill loved traveling anywhere and everywhere. They rode their motorcycle -after graduating from scooters-and put thousands of miles on making treks all around Wisconsin.

Survivors include her husband William “Bill” Helphrey; sons William “Bill” (Tina) Helphrey, Jr, James “Jim” Helphrey; grandsons: William “Leyton” and Landon. In addition, she is survived by her siblings: Marlene Schultz, Mike (Helen) Ourada, Barbara (Larry) Bauknecht, Janice (Will) Behnke, John (Penny) Ourada, Joan (Mike) Zipperer, Patrick Ourada, David (Sue) Ourada, Paul (Brenda) Ourada, and Lori (Chris) Rabideau; as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rudy and Cecelia Ourada, siblings Darlene and Jack and brother-in-law Steve Schultz; and nephew Bryan Zipperer.

A memorial service for Katie will take place on Thursday May 15, 2025, at 7:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home, 312 Milwaukee Street, Menasha. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 5:00pm until the service begins.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in Katie’s memory.