Helen A. Petrich age 74, went to heaven to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 11, 2015. Helen was born on June 14, 1941 in Columbus to Wilbert and Edna (Kurth) Lange. She was married to the love of her life, Howard H. Petrich on June 16, 1973 in Madison. Helen graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught one year at Spring Valley country school, then spent 39 years in the Dodgeland School System teaching in many areas. Her love for children, and to see how successful children can be when given the educational opportunities, made her stay in Dodgeland very rewarding. After retiring, Helen spent several years traveling with her husband. Their trips back East in autumn was something extra special. Helen had a passionate life-long hobby and interest in Elvis Presley. Her collection started in the 1950's, and after her marriage to Howard, spent many vacations in Memphis. They often called Memphis their second home with a special 'Elvis' family in the South. Through their friends in Memphis, Helen and Howard became friends of Elvis' aunts, uncles, cousins and many co-stars from Elvis' films. She was a member of the Columbia County Retired Teachers Association and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Survivors include her two sisters, Shirley Banetzke and Nancy Lange both of Columbus; one brother, Donald Lange of Steamboat Springs CO; a sister-in-law, Betty Larson of Portage; two nieces, Laurie (James) Niehoff and Michele (Steve) Steiner all of Fall River; three nephews, Randy Banetzke of Fall River, Todd (Carrie) Dykstra of Columbus, Chad (Colleen) Dykstra of Fall River; her Memphis family, Deborah Brown, Shirley Cornell, Donna Lewis, Carol Buringham, Tom Kirby, Allen Wade and Steve Kelly; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband in 2006, brother-in-law DeWayne Banetzke and godson, Scott Dykstra. Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M., with visitation beginning at 9:00 A.M., on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 812 Western Avenue, Columbus. Rev. Robert Wilke officiated. Interment including Elvis gospel music was in Hillside Cemetery, Columbus, followed by a luncheon at Savanna Oaks, 100 Savanna Road, Fall River. Memorials may be directed to the Zion Ev. Lutheran Church.
God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.