Kenneth F. Helmreich

Kenneth Franklin Helmreich, 77 of Minden City died Monday morning Sept 27, 2021 surrounded by his wife and family. 

He was born February 17, 1944 in Frankenlust Township, son of the late Martin and Elsie (Erlenbeck)Helmreich.  He graduated from Bay City Handy in 1962.  On October 5, 2002 he married Marie Siemen Gentner. Ken served in the National Guard and worked for a construction company.  He enjoyed years of farming and working as a feed salesman for Kalmbach Feed. 

Ken loved visiting with family, friends, and meeting new people.  His hobbies included raising Angus cattle and going to Angus shows and sales.  He and Marie enjoyed traveling. Some of their favorite destinations were Alaska, Hawaii and cruising the Caribbean islands with friends and family.  They also enjoyed shows in Branson and Tennessee and spending winters in Florida.  Together they cared for a large garden and several beautiful flower beds.  He also enjoyed a good Euchre game, making head cheese and sausage, and of course dancing.  They met at a Polka festival in Ohio. They continued to enjoy dances and festivals with the most recent polka festival is Posen, Michigan where they shared their last dance. 

He will be missed by his wife of 19 years, Marie; children, Scott and Vicki Helmreich , Midland, Greg Helmreich, Midland, Michelle and Scott Belding, Midland, Phillip and Tamera Helmreich, Bay City, Colleen and Tim Palmateer, Midland, Russell Helmreich, Memphis; 8 grandchildren, Damon and Delaney Belding, Nathan and Kaylee Palmateer, Lane and Lawson Helmreich, Brody and Gavin Bird; Stepchildren Keith and JoAnne Gentner, Minden City, Mark and Colleen Gentner, Minden City, David Gentner and special friend, Kathy Lonsway, Mayville, Melinda and Mike Messing ,Caro, Rodney and Melissa Gentner, Caro; 15 step grandchildren Dale (RaChelle) Gentner, Lance (Jessica) Gentner, Evan (Amanda) Gentner, Justin (Jenna) Gentner, Eric (Jodi) Gentner, Kayla (Kris) Drake, Scott Gentner, Tiffany (Ryan) Roy, Miranda Gentner and special friend, Andy, Autumn Gentner and special friend, Jordan, Crystal Messing, Andrea Messing, Brandon Messing, Katelin Gentner and her fiancé Brad Laity, Caleb Gentner; 15 great grandchildren; brothers, Melvin & Louise Helmreich (Freeland), Wayne and JoAnne Helmreich (Bay City); sisters-in-law Marilyn (Pete) Klama, Pam (Rick) Sochaki, Sherri (Dick) Learman, Julie (Gary) Booms, Betty Siemen.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Nelson; sister-in-law, Lois Helmreich; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sylvester and Magdalene Siemen; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Ron & Clarice Siemen, Bill Siemen.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 am, Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Holy Apostles Parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 7115 E. Atwater Rd., Ruth, MI 48470. Rev. Matthew Federico will officiate. Burial will be in the Freemont Cemetery in Auburn.

Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Friday from 1-9 pm and Saturday at church from 10-10:45 am. There will be a vigil service Friday evening at 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be offered to be used at the family's discretion, care of his dear wife, Marie.

Please visit www.smigielskifuneralhomes.com to express your sympathy and sign the guest book for Ken’s family.