Gail (Olstad) Helmer

Gail Helmer, age 75, of Rice Lake, formerly of Elmwood, Wisconsin died Friday, October 29, 2021 at Our Home Assisted Living in Rice Lake.

Memorial service will be Friday, November 12, 2021, at 4 p.m. at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley with visitation from 2-4 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

 Gail was born October 21, 1946 to Lyle and Lucille (Waller) Olstad in Menomonie, WI. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, WI.  She attended school in Spring Valley,

WI, graduating with the Class of 1964.   She attended nursing school and interned at the Burn Care Unit at Ramsey Hospital in St. Paul, MN.  After several years as an LPN, she continued her education and became an RN.  She worked at the Spring Valley Nursing Home, the Elmwood Nursing Home and the Welcome Home Assisted Living in Elmwood, WI.

Gail was married to Pat Miley and they were blessed with two sons, Shaun and Aaron.  The marriage later dissolved.  Later, Gail married Gene Helmer and they lived in  Elmwood.

Gail loved to sew, making costumes for her grandchildren, and collected antiques.  She met her true calling when she became a nurse.  She loved taking care of the residents of the nursing homes/assisted living and was able to care for her Grandma Waller, and her father and her mother when they were there.  She created the first Alzheimer’s Unit at the Heritage of Elmwood Nursing Home and had also served as their Director of Nursing for quite a few years.

Preceding her in death were her parents; grandparents, Helmer and Ruth Waller, and Harry Olstad; first husband Pat; second husband Gene; nephew Michael Olstad and brother Larry Olstad.

Survivors include her two sons, Shaun (Jacki) Miley of Cape Coral, FL; Aaron (Laura) Miley of Chetek, WI, stepchildren Butch Helmer of Red Wing, WI and Debbie Helmer of Knapp, WI; grandsons Isaac Miley of New York, Jonah Miley of Cape Coral, FL; granddaughters, Haddie Miley and Ayda Miley of Chetek, WI; stepgrandsons Nick and Luke Helmer; sister, Barb Olstad Kelly (Ken), of Great Falls, MT; nephews Dale Olstad of Oklahoma City and Steven Olstad of Edmond, OK; nieces Amanda Kelly Norlin of Great Falls, MT and Elizabeth Smith of Edmond, OK; as well as many other relatives and friends.

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