Jeanine Helling

Jeanine Ann Helling, 67, passed away on Tuesday, March 22nd at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, after a brief battle with cancer.

Jeanie was born in Wausau on March 18th, 1955 to Ervin H. and Geneva M. (Mortenson) Lambrecht, the third of four children. She graduated from Newman Catholic High School in 1973. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at Radant Insurance Agency for several years.

Jeanie met her future husband, Thomas Helling, at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party in Wausau and they married on October 18th, 1980. After the birth of their first child, Jeanie left work to become a stay-at-home mom, which she loved. After her children were older, she shared her warmth and love by babysitting for other children at her home for many years.

Born with a heart defect, Jeanie underwent a pioneering surgery at the University of Minnesota when she was six years old. A second heart surgery followed in 1986 after the birth of her daughter. Despite life-long health issues related to her heart, she was not one to complain and was a quiet model of strength.

Jeanie inherited a lifelong love of antiques from her mother. She loved to read, enjoyed baking and crafts, and cherished spending time with her grandchildren. She took great pleasure in decorating the house for each holiday of the year. She shared the family sweet tooth and enjoyed reminiscing about favorite childhood candies with her siblings.

Jeanie was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She showed her love for her family and others every day with her kindness, patience, and welcoming nature. She will be missed immensely.

Jeanie is survived by her husband of 41 years, Tom Helling, son Matthew (Catherine) Helling, all of Wausau, and daughter Allison (Patrick) Shabino, and grandchildren Evelyn and Henry Shabino, all of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is further survived by her sister Mary Kay (David) Odegard, Minocqua, brothers Wayne (Barbara) Lambrecht, Wausau, and John (Michelle) Lambrecht, Schofield, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ervin and Geneva Lambrecht.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 31st, 2022 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Wausau, from 9 to 11 a.m., with a funeral mass to follow. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Wausau, followed by a luncheon at the church. Brainard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lillehei Heart Institute at the University of Minnesota.

Her family would like to thank the staff of the Oncology and Palliative Care units at Aspirus Hospital for the exceptional kindness they showed Jeanie over the past several months.