Helen J. (VanDyke) Ellerie

Helen J. Ellerie, age 96, of Waupaca, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024 at Bethany Home in Waupaca.  She was born in Chicago, IL on March 16, 1928 to Henry and Juliana (Overzet) VanDyke. 

Helen married Richard A. Ellerie on Jan 28th, 1950 and they had three daughters together, Linda, Judy, and Doris.  Helen believed the most important thing in life is getting to know God.  Her daughter Doris wrote this about her mother in 1991…”My mother has given me a beautiful and valuable heritage…that of being a Mom who loves the Lord.  She has been an example to me of a woman who trusts and serves her God.  She doesn’t pass on worldly anecdotes to me, but Biblical wisdom.  Her greatest gift may be that of faithful prayer.  She has not only prayed for me over the years, but for all my friends and now my family.  Who can tell who has been blessed as a result of her faithfulness?  My challenge now is to pass this heritage on to my own girls.  I’m glad I can count on her prayers for me as I attempt to meet the challenge.”  

Helen was only 53 when her husband Rich died in 1981. She was happy to know he was with the Lord. (Now she is there with them!)  She grieved his passing and missed him, but said the Lord would never let her feel sorry for herself for very long.  She had grit and determination to support herself by cleaning homes and spent much of her time tending her thriving gardens and spending time with family. Holidays at Helen’s were filled with laughter, games, and great food.  She poured herself out for her family, friends, and church community. Those who knew her from church comment on her beautiful solos, she loved singing the great hymns of the faith. Through many difficulties in her long life she held onto a verse God gave her after her husband died in Nehemiah 8:10 “Neither be ye grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  That reminder will help her family now as they grieve and miss her. 

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Rich, daughter Linda, and Linda’s husband William (Don) Petryniec.  She is survived by her daughter Judy (Curt) Archer, and daughter Doris (Mike) McDonald.  She is further survived by 8 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren and one Great-Great Grandchild. 

Private family services will be held and she will be laid to rest at Beverly Cemetery in Blue Island, IL.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen J. (VanDyke) Ellerie, please visit our floral store.