Helen Bernice Reich (December 28, 1916 – April 5, 2014)

Please pray for the family of Helen Reich, a long-time member of Eastbrook, who passed away on April 5 at the age of 97. There will be a funeral for Helen at 2pm at Luther Manor on Friday, April 11, with a visitation before the service beginning at 1pm. Read Helen’s story below:

At the young age of 97, Helen met her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 5, 2014, after a short illness. Helen is survived by her son, Larry Reich, and two grandsons, Nathan Reich and Colin Reich. She also leaves behind her daughter, Karen Reich Rousseau (Bob) ; two granddaughters, Renee Rousseau Weber (Chad) and Aimee Rousseau Kretschman (Eric) ; and four great grand-daughters, Annika, Audrey, Abigail, and Alexandra Kretschman who lovingly called Helen GGMom (Great Grand Mom).

Helen was born to Fred and Alma Cornwell on December 28, 1916. She grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and told many stories of life during World War I, the depression, and World War II. She lived in Milwaukee, Shorewood, and Whitefish Bay during her life. In 1941, Helen married Raphael Reich. After 57 years of marriage, Raphael preceded her in death in 1998. Both were lifetime residents of Whitefish Bay and faithful servants to the Lord.

Most of Helen’s summers growing up were spent with her parents and brother John in the north woods of Wisconsin (Winter, near Hayward), a place Helen held dear to her heart. Some of her best friends and fondest memories were of Winter and Perch Lake. She loved watching and listening to the loons and peacefully touring the lake on their pontoon boat. Later, Helen and Ray continued to spend summers there with their children, and finally her grandchildren enjoyed time at “Reich’s Roost” every summer as well.

In addition to raising two children, Karen and Larry, Helen was employed in a variety of careers. She put her love for fashion to good use as a milliner (hat maker) and as a seamstress. She was also very interested in interior decorating and had a very successful career as a real estate agent from 1969 to 1991. Once she retired, Helen sought to find ways to give back to her community through volunteer work.

Family, church, and worship were very important to Helen. Helen was a long-time member of Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee. She loved the Lord Jesus, taught Sunday school, attended many Bible classes, and served the church in a variety of ways. At the age of 82, Helen began working as a volunteer at Child Evangelism Fellowship. In this role, she said she finally had a chance to give back to the Lord for His many blessings.

Helen was a wise and loving woman, full of character, who will be missed by all who had the chance to truly know her. Her stories of Chicago gangsters in the Wisconsin’s North Woods, of surviving the depression, of both World Wars, and of her real estate deals will be remembered by many. Most importantly, she will be missed by her family, dear friends, and church community at Eastbrook Church.

Prior to her death, Helen requested that all memorials be sent to Child Evangelism Fellowship at 13620 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005. Her family thanks you in advance for your generosity. Notes of condolence to the family may be sent to Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home on North Avenue in Wauwatosa.

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