Helen Lucille Willems, 91, Oneida, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at San Luis Nursing Home.

She was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Barron, Wis., to the late Floyd and Gertrude Oleson.
Helen was a graduate of the school of hard knocks. She was taken out of school in the 3rd grade to work on her grandfather’s farm. There she led plow horses in the fields and did barn and household chores. On Nov. 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to Richard J. Willems in Sturgeon Bay.
Helen loved to work in her gardens from which the fruits of her labor she lovingly gave to anyone she met. One of her passions was cooking very large meals and then inviting friends who were less fortunate than she to enjoy a home cooked meal. She loved to bake, especially pies and cakes, sometimes six loaves of bread a week. She enjoyed making homemade candy at Christmas time and watching her grandchildren smile and ask for more.
Helen loved fishing and relaxing at her cottage at Crooked Lake. She was a very passionate Packers fan. She loved all animals and wild birds, including her Chihuahua dogs which she raised and sold, keeping one special dog for herself, Cindy. Most of all, Helen enjoyed time spent with the loves of her life, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She loved listening to and singing country music while playing her guitar. Helen was always talking about her trips to Branson with her brother, Charles and her sisters.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Sandi Paremski, Hobart; Daniel and Susan Willems, Sobieski; six grandchildren, Melissa (Steve) Swaboda and their children, Shane and Sky, Coon Rapids, Minn.; Sarah (Eric) Moberg and their children, Samuel, Isaac, Luke and Joseph, St. Paul, Minn.; Joseph (Susan) Paremski, Jr. and their child, Karlene, Green Bay; Andrew (Cathee) Paremski and their children, Matthew, Atalie and Westly, Milwaukee; Seth (Cassie), Green Bay; Jesse Lee Paremski, Hobart; a great-granddaughter, Emma (Paremski) Sadiwski, Beaver Dam; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jean Oleson, Merrill, Wis.; many nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Willems in 1992; a grandson, Peter Paremski in 2007; three sisters, Betty Ryhner, Evelyn Prieve, Ardith Woller.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 2. The Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Diane Rew officiating. Entombment will be in Shrine of Good Shepherd Mausoleum. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of the Cloud Center, the wonderful staff at San Luis Nursing Facility and the Heartland Hospice staff. Thank you all for your love and support of Helen while she was in your care. It is deeply appreciated. God bless you all.
A memorial fund has been established in Helen’s name.

Helen Lucille Willems, 91, Oneida, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at San Luis Nursing Home.

She was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Barron, Wis., to the late Floyd and Gertrude Oleson.
Helen was a graduate of the school of hard knocks. She was taken out of school in the 3rd grade to work on her grandfather’s farm. There she led plow horses in the fields and did barn and household chores. On Nov. 11, 1949, she was united in marriage to Richard J. Willems in Sturgeon Bay.
Helen loved to work in her gardens from which the fruits of her labor she lovingly gave to anyone she met. One of her passions was cooking very large meals and then inviting friends who were less fortunate than she to enjoy a home cooked meal. She loved to bake, especially pies and cakes, sometimes six loaves of bread a week. She enjoyed making homemade candy at Christmas time and watching her grandchildren smile and ask for more.
Helen loved fishing and relaxing at her cottage at Crooked Lake. She was a very passionate Packers fan. She loved all animals and wild birds, including her Chihuahua dogs which she raised and sold, keeping one special dog for herself, Cindy. Most of all, Helen enjoyed time spent with the loves of her life, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She loved listening to and singing country music while playing her guitar. Helen was always talking about her trips to Branson with her brother, Charles and her sisters.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Joseph and Sandi Paremski, Hobart; Daniel and Susan Willems, Sobieski; six grandchildren, Melissa (Steve) Swaboda and their children, Shane and Sky, Coon Rapids, Minn.; Sarah (Eric) Moberg and their children, Samuel, Isaac, Luke and Joseph, St. Paul, Minn.; Joseph (Susan) Paremski, Jr. and their child, Karlene, Green Bay; Andrew (Cathee) Paremski and their children, Matthew, Atalie and Westly, Milwaukee; Seth (Cassie), Green Bay; Jesse Lee Paremski, Hobart; a great-granddaughter, Emma (Paremski) Sadiwski, Beaver Dam; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Jean Oleson, Merrill, Wis.; many nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” Willems in 1992; a grandson, Peter Paremski in 2007; three sisters, Betty Ryhner, Evelyn Prieve, Ardith Woller.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 2. The Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Rev. Diane Rew officiating. Entombment will be in Shrine of Good Shepherd Mausoleum. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
The family would like to thank the caring staff of the Cloud Center, the wonderful staff at San Luis Nursing Facility and the Heartland Hospice staff. Thank you all for your love and support of Helen while she was in your care. It is deeply appreciated. God bless you all.
A memorial fund has been established in Helen’s name.