Helen Girod

Helen Girod of Polar died Friday, March 18, 2011 at Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation in Antigo.Helen Johanna King was born June 6, 1918 to Leonard and Johanna (Hove) King on a farm in Goodhue County, MN, Warsaw Township.She spent her first three years of formal education in High Prairie School, Goodhue County, MN, and Garfield School, Cass County, MN. From grades 4 to 12, Helen attended Randolph Consolidated School, Randolph, MN, graduating from high school in 1936. She graduated from the Cannon Falls Teacher Training Department in 1937, and spent the next seven years teaching in Goodhue County rural schools.Helen was also very active in teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, as well as in 4-H Club membership and leadership.On May 14, 1944, Helen was married to the Rev. Robert W. Girod of Minneapolis, MN in First English Lutheran Church of Cannon Falls, MN. Their first home was an active lighthouse in Baileys Harbor, WI, where the Rev. Girod served as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church for the next nine years. Helen continued to be active in church, school, and community work in Door County even organizing a Baileys Harbor Girls 4-H Club. A son, Paul, was born to the Girods while they lived in Baileys Harbor.The Girods moved to Langlade County in 1953 where Pastor Girod served St. John's Lutheran Church, Polar, WI and the newly organized Arbutus Lutheran Church, Pearson, WI. Helen continued with her interests in church, school, and community activities such as 4-H Club leadership and the Homemaker Club activities such as organizing swimming classes in Mueller Lake in Polar. The Girods cared for foster children until they could return to their own parents.When Paul was ready for college, Helen returned to school, too. She graduated from the Langlade County Teachers College in 1967, from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 1972, and received a Masters Degree in reading in 1983. She taught children for 19 more years. Her love of people kept her tutoring both adults and children and encouraging them to read better.Helen was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Polar, WI, as well as the Lutheran Church Women of both St. John's and Arbutus churches. She was also a member of the following: Special Friends at East and North Elementary, Langlade County Area Retired Educators, Antigo Civic Music Association as a patron, Langlade County Homemakers for 50 years, Humane Society life member, Langlade County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Literacy Service of Wisconsin, Ridges Sanctuary of Door County life member, US Lighthouse Keepers Society, National Cookie Cutters Collectors Club, and National African Violet Society.She is survived by her son Paul (Kristin) Girod of Kaukauna, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.