BETTY HELMS

Betty B. Helms passed very peacefully from our life to eternal life surrounded by her family on December 11, 2013. Betty was born on April 7, 1924 in Johnson City, Tennessee, the 4th child of Donald R. and Elma (Rankin) Beeson. She attended Tusculum College for two years and graduated from Eastman School of Music in 1944 with a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in music theory with minors in piano and cello. Upon graduation from college, she worked as a draftsman for the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, TN. There she met her future husband, John while playing in the symphony orchestra. They were married on August 10, 1946 and moved to Elmhurst, Ill. where John worked in research for American Can Co. In 1948 they moved to Neenah where they spent the rest of their lives. Betty looked for opportunities in music and spent her life in a variety of musical expressions. She taught private piano lessons in her home, accompanied students at recitals and contests, was a charter member of the Fox Valley Symphony, and directed her church choir for 17 years. In addition, she played in the Oak Park-River Forest Symphony, the Lawrence College Symphony, and she and her husband often provided music for weddings in the Fox Valley. She was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church, Church Women United, American Association of University Women, the Neenah Historical Society, Sigma Alpha Iota Alums, the Wednesday Musicale, and the Fox Valley Keyboard Teachers Association. She is survived by her husband, John, a daughter, Mary Beth Poliak, son-in-law, Dale Poliak, and two grandchildren, Amy Burns (Poliak) (Eric Burns) and Adam Poliak (Abby Strobel). She is further survived by a sister, Ann Gouge of Johnson City, TN., and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a brother, Dick Beeson (wife, Helen) of Johnson City, TN., a sister, Mary Ellison (husband, Ben), brother-in-law Gerry Gouge, son, Tom Helms, and her parents Don and Elma Beeson. The memorial service for Betty will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 21, 2013, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1025 Tullar Rd., Neenah, with The Rev. Tim Albrecht officiating. The visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in honor of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and Faith United Methodist Church in Neenah. A special thank you is extended to Emeritus at Fox River Assisted Living and Heartland Hospice for the warm and compassionate care Betty and her family received over the past few months.