Helen Irene Hess

Helen Irene Hess, age 104, of Sparta, formerly of Cazenovia, passed away on March 11, 2021 at the Morrow Home in Sparta. She was born on April 15, 1916 in Bear Valley, Richland Co., WI, to Ed and Anna (Wolters) Weitzel, the 6th of 11 children. She met Ray Hess at a dance on the Loreto Ridge and a year later they married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Keyesville, on March 22, 1939. They made their home in Cazenovia, where Ray operated the family hardware/drug store along with his father W.S. Hess. Helen lived there for over 60 years with the exception of several years in Merrimac when Ray was employed as a guard at Badger Ordnance in Baraboo during WWII.

She was a stay at home mom for her three children, and enjoyed her role as a wife and mother. Ray passed away in 1990 with her son taking over the family business until his passing in 2008. Helen then moved to Tomah in 2009 to be near her daughter. She will always be remembered for her sharp mind, remembering birthdates, names, and other special moments, and her great stories from days gone by. She lived through pandemics, prohibition, the Great Depression, and major world wars.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; son Raymond; parents and siblings.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Dianne) Hess of Waunakee; daughter, Karen (Dan) Breininger of Tomah; grandchildren: Kim (Andreas) Starling of Orlando, FL, Jason (Mary) Breininger of Cleveland, OH, Scott (Bennie) Hess of Madison, Jerry Hess of Waunakee, and Andy (fiancé Brittany) Breininger of Ontario; great grandchildren Jackson Starling, and Grace and Clara Breininger. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Helen will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, March 22, 2021 at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg with Father Patrick Wendler as celebrant. Burial will be made in Concord Cemetery, Willow Twp., Richland Co., WI. Visitation will be on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service.

The Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, is assisting the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Irene Hess, please visit our floral store.