Helen Jane Gerdes

Helen Jane Gerdes, age 79, of Rhinelander, died on November 22, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 9, 1945, in Rhinelander, the daughter of Frank and Ida (Simmons) Robinson. She attended schools in Rhinelander graduating from Rhinelander High School in 1963. She married Dale Gerdes on July 20, 1963 in Rhinelander and they were blessed with 61 years of marriage.

Helen was self-employed as a tax preparer for many years, until her retirement in 2009. She was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. She enjoyed fishing, sewing and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed traveling the United States, coast to coast, with her husband Dale on his trucking routes. Her greatest joy came from the time spent with her grand and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband Dale, her daughter Michele Gerdes, her sons Brad Gerdes and Troy Gerdes, her grandchildren Anna Kemp, Megann Gerdes, Emma Gerdes, Nicole Gerdes, Nicholas Gerdes, and Julia Gerdes, her eight great-grandchildren, her sister Nancy Ives, many nieces and nephews, other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Betty Sowinski, her brothers Fred Robinson, Karl Robinson, Lavern Robinson, Bud Robinson, Roger Robinson, Eugene Robinson, and Richard Robinson and her daughter-in-law Michele Gambetti-Gerdes.

Visitation for Helen will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 from 10 a.m. to noon, with memorial services following at noon, all at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Reverend Karl Schultz will be officiating. You may leave your private condolences for the Gerdes family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-269-1414) is serving the family.