Helena Mathilda DeRoo

HELENA M. (LINSE) DE ROO, age 99, formerly of Mondovi, Wisconsin, died March 13, 2012 at the Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Helena was born April 23, 1912, in rural Mondovi to William and Hulda (Heck) Linse. She was baptized and confirmed at the Mondovi Evangelical Lutheran Church. She received her Elementary, High School, and Teachers' Training Education at Mondovi and her Bachelor of Education Degree at La Crosse University. Helena taught Elementary School for thirty-nine years. Ten years were taught in rural and State Graded School; five of those years were in Buffalo County, and one year at Buffalo Ridge School, four years at Waste Valley School (now the Country School Museum at Mondovi Tourist Park.) In Waukesha County she taught at Elmwood, Shady Nook, and Irving Schools. She was a model teacher at La Crosse University for two years. Her remaining years of teaching were in the city of West Allis, Wisconsin, teaching at Longfellow School for seven years and twenty years at Jefferson School. In 1943 Helena married Roy De Roo, a Milwaukee High School Teacher and a Student Guidance Counselor. On 1950 Helena and Roy took her sister Angelica's two children into their home after Angelica and her husband Charles Frolik died in an automobile accident in Canada. Helena is preceded in death by her husband Roy, two sisters and four brothers. Survivors include daughter Carole (David) Gauerke of Sobieske, Wisconsin and son Dr. Charles (Barbara) Frolik of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is survived by seven grandchildren: Christine Harrison; Lisa (Bob) LeSage; Pamela (Curt) Haag; Elizabeth (Jared) Saindon; and Andrew (Mallory) Gauerke; Steven (Sarah) and Christopher Frolik. Also survived by great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. After retirement from teaching, Helena traveled, attended educational classes and was a volunteer at West Allis Memorial Hospital for over twenty years. She belonged to the Historical Societies of the State, West Allis and Mondovi. She was a member of the National, State, and Milwaukee Area Retired Teachers' Association. She was member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of West Allis for over 50 years. A Funeral service will be on Saturday March 17 at 1:00 pm at the Poeschel-Talbot Funeral Home. A Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery, Mondovi, WI. Online condolences may be sent to www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.