PLYMOUTH - Helene N. Arpke, 91, of Plymouth, died Saturday morning, Dec. 7, 2002, at Valley Manor Nursing Home in Plymouth where she had been a resident for the past 11 years. She was born in Franklin, Sheboygan County, on Oct. 15, 1911, a daughter of the late Henry and Ruth Fosterling Arpke.

Helene attended the Franklin grade school, the Mission House Academy, received her bachelor of arts degree in education from Lakeland College and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She had also earned 12 extra credits from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Helene taught high school in Illinois for five years and for 35 years she taught in Wisconsin, 29 of which were spent at Mukwonago High School. She retired in 1977, but remained in Mukwonago until moving to the South Horizon Apartments in Plymouth in 1989.

While in Mukwonago, Helene was a member of the La Belle No. 40 Order of Eastern Star, in which she held various offices including worthy matron. She had also been a member of the Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma sorority and was active in the American Cancer Society. She was a lifelong member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in the town of Herman, and had served as a Sunday school teacher and sang in the church choir for a number of years.

Helene was a very thoughtful person who will be remembered as an individual who gave generously of her time and money to her family and friends.

Survivors include two sisters, Ruth Kertz of Indio, Calif., and Ona Jirovetz of Plymouth; two brothers, Henry (Ruth) Arpke of Plymouth and Ralph (Elaine) Arpke of Sheboygan. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur, Warren and Frederic Arpke.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 9, at the Wittkopp Funeral Home in Plymouth; the Rev. Wayne Drueck, officiated. Burial will be in the Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery.

A memorial fund for Lakeland College will be established in Helene’s name.

Wittkopp Funeral Service in Plymouth, (920) 892-2626, assisted the family with arrangements.