LaDonna Kay “Fretz” Helms, 84, of Veedersburg passed away at home with the love of her life by her side at 10 a.m. on Christmas morning after nine months of health problems.
Simply put LaDonna was love, pure goodness ... born Dec. 13, 1936 on Charles Street in Lafayette. Always sharing her stories of all the different places she grew up, as her Daddy worked for Public Service of Indiana, causing many moves in her young years from Lafayette, Mulberry and Attica. She loved horses, and it was at a cousins house, petting their horse, that a young fourteen year old boy, riding his horse down a country road on a Sunday afternoon, saw for the first time the girl he would marry. LaDonna married Gale Helms on Aug. 22, 1956, in front of the fireplace in the home they would happily spend the rest of their lives. LaDonna felt fortunate: loving her life, walking and working alongside her husband in every aspect of their farm, raising a family of two daughters and one son.
LaDonna never having idle hands, from countless gardens, vegetables and fruits from their orchard were preserved. When not cooking she displayed a vast array of artistic talents ... with beautifully detailed painted ceramics, crocheting the softest of afghans and booties along with making large pencil drawings of multiple ancestral family members of which decorate many walls of their home. Turquoise was her favorite color and was used throughout the years including the color of her hand sewn turquoise wedding dress.
LaDonna was raised in a close knit family of dear aunts, uncles and cousins of whom she loved deeply. Through the dear ones of her youth she acquired a wonderful sparkle as she would deliver her wit and sometimes stubborn trait, this she proudly passes on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
An Attica High School graduate of 1955 she was proud of her classmates and enjoyed attending the Attica alumni to reminisce the good ole days.
A long-time member of Sterling Christian Church, she, alongside several neighbors, assisted in an effort to revive and have monthly church services at Union Christian Church outside of Newtown.
She was preceded in death by her “Daddy and Mother” Howard and Bernice (Crow) Fretz; father and mother-in-law Zone and Lyda Helms and son-in-law Richard Warner.
Left to carry on her legacy is her beloved husband Gale; daughters, Terry (Paul) Meyer and Lisa Warner; and son David (Leah) Helms. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, Tiffany Meyer, Brittany (Costa) Demou, Bethany Blacketer (fiancé Mark Pendleton), Bridgett (Ryan) Beck, Ladd Warner, Hesston (Katelyn) Helms, Hayden (Cassidy) Helms and Holden Helms (fiancée Erin Grubb). Adding to her full and happy life came 11 great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Oliver Demou, Rylan Mayotte, twins Beckam and Brooks Blacketer, Rivers and Harlow Beck, Victoria, Colton and Madilyn Helms and Hudson Helms.
A private family service will be held at the Maus Funeral Home, Attica, with Pastor Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Union Christian Cemetery west of Newtown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Union Christian Cemetery Association.
Online condolences may be made at www.mausfuneralhome.com.
