Helen was born Dec. 7, 1930, in Toledo, OH, the daughter of Norman & Philomene Reed. Helen and her two sisters Mary and Ruth grew up in their father's Toledo restaurant that is said to have served the original orange health drink that is now known as Orange Julius. Helen was a 1949 graduate of the Notre Dame Academy in Toledo.
On June 28, 1952, Helen married Don Schramm, an Air Force Drill sergeant also of Toledo Ohio. Together, they lived and loved and grew a family of 4 kids. As years progressed Helen was a homemaker and she also worked at Dunn & Bradstreet, Toledo, and the meat department at A&P Grocery Stores. Don had finished his time in the service and went into management at A&P Grocery Stores.
After having been given an amazing opportunity, Don and Helen Packed up the family and moved to Wapakoneta Ohio to be an owning partner of Pantry Pride grocery stores. With this move, Helen would become a volunteer for 30 years at the Cerebral Palsy Clinic at Lima Memorial Health System. Helen had a love for people, and the activities that occupied her time echoed the loving, open, and welcoming heart that everyone who knew Helen would grow to love.
Both Don and Helen were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wapakoneta. While Don was active with the local Rotary Club, Sertoma Club, and the Church finance committee; Helen kept busy as an active member in the church's Stephen Ministry, and the Helen Hunt Club of Wapakoneta. Her hobbies included reading, baking, shopping and traveling. Don and Helen were both Members and hosts of the Sister Cities group, and gained a wealth of international friends.
Helen was happiest when she was spending time with her family and all her many friends throughout her life. Helen loved all of her children and their spouses unconditionally. Her 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren were the light of her life- they were the song in her heart- and they were the reason for the twinkling Irish smile on her face.
Helen lived life to the fullest and never hesitated to share the spirit behind her motto:
“Put [keep] a smile on your face and a song in your heart”.
In the early Fall of 2013 just shortly after celebrating 61 years of marriage to Don, Surrounded by family and her husband, Helen was Diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia. This would shake the foundation of her beloved family. for the years following Helen continued to fall deeper and deeper into the horrible constraints of this horrible disease known as "The Long Goodbye". Though things progressively got harder, Helen and her family did the best to keep the heart of "Keep a smile on your face, and a song in your heart" Alive through every good and bad day that followed.
On December 10th, Just 3 days after celebrating her 86th birthday, surrounded by family; on her right holding hands with her husband of 64 years, on her left holding hands with her grandson, Helen completed her fight with Alzheimer's and took her last breath of this life.
With only three years following a difficult diagnosis, after research and reflection, Our Family's Journey with Alzheimer's & Dementia started many years before the diagnosis, lasting approximately 10 years. To read more about Our Family's Journey with Alzheimer's & Dementia Click Here.
Helen, our beloved matriarch, will be dearly missed until the days the heaven's trumpets sound. Until that glorious day our family is determined to spread the heart, spirit, and renewing life of:
"KASOYFAASIYH"
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