Helen I. Fahrbach

Madison/Neenah - Helen I Fahrbach age 91, formerly of Neenah and Menasha WI died April 16, 2011, at Waunakee Manor Health Care Center in Waunakee WI.
She was born on Oct. 3, 1919 in Neenah, the daughter of Rolland and Nellie (Holmes) Buchanan. Helen and Clifford W Fahrbach were united in marriage on April 3, 1937 in Appleton and spent most of their married years in Menasha. They shared nearly 50 wonderful years of marriage until Clifford's early death in 1986. She was an active member of St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Menasha until her move to Madison in late November 2004.
After working in the Menasha school offices for 16 years, Helen accepted a full time position at the Menasha Public Library providing various special services such as the children's story hour and outreach programs to visually handicapped people and nursing home residents. She retired from the library in January of 1985. She enjoyed writing poetry, book reviews, humor pieces, and children's stories. Helen was an active member and office holder in the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association and was the recipient of many awards including the Jade Ring award in 1968 for her story ""A Pet for the Princess"". Her real love was poetry and this resulted in three soft bound chapbooks: ""No One Rides the Carousel"", ""A Thousand Journeys"" and ""In The Garden"". Her poetry and stories were published in anthologies, journals, Wisconsin Poet's Calendar, magazines and newspapers, both locally and regionally. She also taught a Fall writing course at Tomahawk's Elderhostel for several years. Helen enjoyed flower gardening, needlecraft, quilting and travel.
Helen was a loving and supportive wife, a warm and caring mother and a proud and loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Helen is survived by her sons, James (Kathryn) of Las Cruces NM, David (Evelyn) of Madison WI, Thomas (Mildred) of Glidden WI, and Daniel (Linda) of Newburgh NY. Grandchildren include Stuart (Lori), Michael (Wendy), Kelly Jones (John), Christopher (Sarah), and Jennifer: six great-grandchildren Kyra, Tarin, Dillon, Jordan, Cassidy, and Savannah; and a great-great-grandchild Drennen. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford, a daughter Judith, her parents, and her two brothers Darrell and Russell Buchanan.
A memorial service will be held on April 28, 2011, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 473 Seventh Street in Menasha at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Pastor David Skarsten will preside. Memorials in Helen's name may be sent to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, City of Menasha Public Library, or Wisconsin Council for Writers (to honor the winners of the poetry category of the annual writer's competition).
The family extends a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Waunakee Manor and Dean Clinic's Terri Patwell for their compassion and care.