Helen Barkhausen Perry
Helen Barkhausen Perry, 103, died February 24, 2015 at St.
Francis Terrace Assisted Living in Fond du Lac.
She was born in Green Bay, WI on November 20, 1911, the daughter of
Henry G Barkhausen and Miriam Noyes Barkhausen.
The family moved to Chicago, IL when she was 13. She attended Baldwin Preparatory High School
in Bryn Mawr, PA and continued her education at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and Vassar Women’s College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She graduated from Vassar in 1934 with a
degree in Economics. Helen married Andre
James Perry in 1936 and moved to Fond du Lac, WI. They lived in Washington D.C. while Mr. Perry
served in the U.S. Army, returning to Fond du Lac in 1945 at the end of World
War II.
Mrs. Perry has been very active in the community. She was a founding member of the Service
League Club of Fond du Lac and a retired member of Charity Club. She also served on the board of directors of
South Hills Golf and Country Club, Marian College and the Salvation Army.
Widowed in 1963 at the age of 50, Mrs. Perry set out to
follow a passionate desire to become an airplane pilot. She earned her private pilot license along
with her twin engine, Instrument, Commercial, and aerobatic aircraft
ratings. During the next 25 years she
owned several small planes and flew almost every day, logging over 3,300 hours
of flight time. Helen also loved her
house, the yard and gardens she maintained and cherished for over 70
years. She completed over 100 pieces of
needle and petit point art including pillows, framed tapestries and large rugs
which she lovingly shared with family and friends. She was an avid reader and was particularly
interested in politics and history.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Andre,
a younger sister, Katherine B. Geraghty of Harbor Springs, MI and most of her
friends.
Mrs. Perry is survived by her three children, Andre James
Perry Jr (Leona) of Alpharetta, GA, Katherine C. Perry of Minneapolis, MN and
Susan Perry Baumgartner (Dr. Bert) of Fond du Lac.
Mrs. Perry has six devoted grandsons, Gregory (Ha) Perry of
San Jose, CA, Andre (Cathy) Perry and Alexander Perry of Atlanta, GA, Perry
(Carlie) Bowers of Minneapolis, MN, Steven (Cynthia) Baumgartner of Golf, IL
and Peter (Katharine) Baumgartner of Englewood, FL. Additionally, she has 10 great
grandchildren. She is also survived by
her brother, Henry N. (Alice) Barkhausen of Lake Forest, IL and a sister-in-law
Patricia Perry Reiss of Kohler, WI, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A thank you from her children to Pam Behnke, Alice Pickart
and Lee Kaufman along with all those who cared for Helen, but especially to
Karen and Dave Patoka for their many years of patience, help and friendship for
their mother.
She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
Visitation: Family
will welcome relatives and friends on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Zacherl
Funeral Home, 875 East Division St, Fond du Lac, from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m.
Service: A memorial service will take place on Saturday at 11:00
a.m. following visitation. Interment
will be at a later date in Harbor Springs, MI.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial contributions may be made
to the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, Agnesian Hospice or any charity of your
choice.
Zacherl Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com