Helen B. Rademacher

Helen Belle Rademacher, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011.

She was born Aug. 7, 1925, to William and Gertrude (Peaslee) Senn, on a farm south of town, and graduated from Washington High School in Brainerd. She was happily married to Harold Rademacher for nearly 60 years until his passing in 2004.

Helen and Harold lived in the Brainerd lakes area nearly all of their lives, and were well known in the area for operating the diverse and successful Rademacher Welding and Marine, and for building and operating the Clamshell Queen and the Mississippi Belle paddleboats in their retirement. Together they had the opportunity to camp and travel around the country and the world. Helen enjoyed square dancing, quilting, boating and other activities throughout her life, especially with her many friends and large family. She grew up attending Bethel Lutheran Church and was actively involved in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd and Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes.

Helen is survived by her three daughters, Faye Buffetta, Irene and husband Mike Linn, and Meriel and husband Steve Park, all from Brainerd; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, her brother William, her sister Anna Senn and her sister Vivian Liners.

Services will be Thursday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd with Pastor Mark Skinner officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Brainerd. Friends may call on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 4-7 p.m. at the Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are with Halvorson-Johnson Funeral Home in Brainerd.