Helen Sarah (Normand) Herr
Helen Sarah (Normand) Herr, 83, Cornell, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at her home.
Helen was born May 29, 1940, the daughter of Felix and Malvina (Clark) Normand.
She grew up on a family farm in Lafayette, and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Chippewa Falls, and went to Chippewa Falls High School.
After school, she moved to Kenosha, where she started a family and a restaurant in Paddock Lake. There, she met the love of her life, Harry Herr and they moved to Cornell, and blended their families in 1974. Together, they bought the Keystone Bar and ran it from 1974-88.
Helen then bought a coach bus, where she started and ran Keystone Coach, until Harry had a stroke in 1998. She cared for him until his passing in 2017.
Helen was very passionate about her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, playing the lottery, which she won three times, gardening and she had a passion for trains. Helen was the best cook ever, family favorites include her German sauerkraut strudel and her famous stuffing.
Helen was a very spunky grandma and was known to be quite the feisty lady, which, when you’re a whole 80 pounds soaking wet, you had to be.
She is survived by her three sons – Darrell (Cheryl) Herr, Lake Wissota, Shannon (Theresa) Herr, Cornell, and Brian Bleske, Cornell; one daughter – Bobbie Ann (Brian) Boots, Rochester, Minn.; two stepdaughters – Sue (Tim) Green, Kenosha, and Kathy Herr, Toledo, Ohio; two stepsons – Tim (Sue) Herr, Kenosha, and Duane Herr, Fond du Lac; her brothers – John (Claudia) Normand, Chippewa Falls, and Vern (Alice) Normand, Chippewa Falls; sister-in-law – Cathy Normand, Florida; her beloved pup – Mitize 4.0; her few close friends – Sue Roth and Ann; grandchildren – Samuel (Emily) Herr and Katie (Cody) Najbrt, Cornell, Alysa, Kasandra, Olivia and Quinnton Herr, Lake Wissota, Jacquelyn (Mike) Bleske, Barronett, Julius (Arica) Bleske, Iowa, John (Tiffany) Bleske, Cornell, Jericho Bleske, Cornell, Brian Jr. (Tonia) Bleske, Cornell, Brittney Bordelon, Rochester, Minn., and Jedadia (Lindsey) Stevens, Wayzata, Minn.; and numerous stepgrandchildren; great-grandchildren and relatives, who will miss her beyond words.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Harry; her first husband – Willard; two brothers – Bud (Phyllis) Normand and Charles Normand; two sisters – Joyce (Palmer) Erickson and Lucille (Lyle) Woodcock; a son – Allen Bleske; a daughter – Michelle Herr, at birth, granddaughter – Kimberly Herr, at birth; stepson – Jeff Herr; and son-in-law – Clyde Stevens.
Helen is now with her one true love, Harry. May they both rest in peace together now.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Keystone New Life Alliance Church in Cornell. Visitation will begin at noon, and go until the start of the service, at 2 p.m., at the church.
Burial will follow at the Cornell Cemetery.
When you see the roses blooming or hear a train whistle, remember she is forever in your heart.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome. com. Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, is assisting the family.
