Lillian Dorthy Stading Helmer passed away peacefully at the Wishek Living Center, Wishek, North Dakota June 16, 2021 at the age of 99, just six weeks shy of her 100 ^th birthday. Lillian lived life full and well. She was loved and respected by the many people she crossed paths with during her life, whether at church, at work, or within the community.

Lillian was born to Samuel and Blondina Stading (nee Herr) on July 28 ^th , 1921. She was the oldest of eleven children and grew up on the family farm two miles west of Danzig, North Dakota.

She started working on neighbor's farms at age twelve, and used some of her first earnings to buy a camera to begin chronicling her large family through photography. At age 20 she moved to Minneapolis to work in a sewing factory. Lillian lived and worked in Minneapolis for five years enjoying friends and the city life. She moved back to the family farm and subsequently married David Helmer in 1946; the couple resided together in Ashley, North Dakota until Dave's death in 1980.

Lillian was a joiner and a doer. She loved the Lord and was active in her church in Ashley as a pianist, Sunday School teacher, and officer in the women's groups. Lillian was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 68 years beginning in 1952. In this organization she held both offices of president and secretary for a number of terms.

Lillian and Dave enjoyed music together; she on the piano and he on various instruments. In preparation for the 1963 Ashley Diamond Jubilee, they traveled with the Little German Band across the state to publicize the celebration. They also did special music for church services.

Lillian worked as a CNA for many years at the McIntosh County Hospital and later at the Ashely Nursing Home until she retired at the age of 75 from taking care of the elderly.

The summer of 2001 Lillian bought a house in Wishek, North Dakota to live closer to her sister Stella Mehlhaff and brother Ben Stading. While there she gardened, made new friends, and played piano at the Wishek Senior Center until she moved to the Wishek Living Center June 2015.

Lillian was a busy, determined, and generous person. She was a master gardener and often shared garden produce with family and friends. As a seamstress and yarn crafter she made many gifts for family and friends. An amazing story of Lillian's determination was that at the age of one she lost a finger in a barn accident, and the way it was treated hampered the finger next to the one lost. As a child she wanted to learn to play the piano. She was often told she would never be able to play because of the injury to her fingers. Lillian was determined to learn and was successful. She played for pleasure and the public for many years.

Lillian is survived by her children David Helmer (Joni), Nancy Ventresca (Vance), Evelyn Newgard (Dana), grandchildren Tonia Turner (Reese), Tara Ferranti (Pete), Michelle Uberreste (Forest), Charles David, Jesse Newgard (Samantha), Kaelyn Helmer, great grandchildren Amanda Tucker, Albert Tucker, Vincenzo Ferranti, Emma Helmer, and great great grandchildren Abigail Lillian Turner, and Rowan Gring. She is also survived by siblings Charlotte Rudolph, Charles Stading, Corinne Martin, Ben Stading (Linda), Emogene Lautt (Vern), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lillian was preceded in death by her husband David Helmer (1980), grandaughter Tiffani Turner (2010), siblings: Reuben Stading, Stella Mehlhaff, Yetta Shepherd, George Stading, and Robert Stading

There will be a Celebration of Life at the First Baptist Church in Wishek, North Dakota at 2 P.M. July 25 ^th . The public is welcome.