Mary Helmkamp

Mary Helen Helmkamp, 69, of Fort Wayne, died Wednesday February 28, 2024, at Parkview Randallia Hospital. Mary was born in Fort Wayne on April 10, 1954, the daughter of (the late) James Donald Isbell and Helen (Nolan) Isbell Rubrecht. Mary graduated from Central Catholic with the Class of ’72 and on June 30, 1973, she married Ronald Helmkamp, who survives along with their children, Trisha (Matt) Michaels and Laura (George) Ijames; grandchildren, Samuel, Allyson and Luke Michaels, and Easton, Adelynn and Ayla Ijames; her sisters, Patricia (John) Diemer, Donna (Lindy) Screeton and Karen Isbell; her brother Michael (Barb) Isbell; brothers & sisters-in-law, Dave & Pat Helmkamp, Diane Farrell, John & Cindy Helmkamp, Joe & Brenda Helmkamp and several nieces & nephews. In addition to her mother and father, Mary was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Frank Rubrecht, mother & father-in-law, Helen & Norbert Helmkamp, and brother-in-law, Tom Helmkamp.

Mary worked at Lincoln Life and later retired from Fort Wayne Community Schools as Secretary-Treasurer. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, and she was a volunteer at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center. Mary was athletic and a sports enthusiast; she enjoyed pickleball, basketball and volleyball, and had formerly coached volleyball at St. Charles, but her greatest joy in life were her family & friends, she liked baking for them, enjoying her grandchildren and spending time at Crooked Lake.

The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday March 6, 2024, in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Rd. with visitation from 9:30-10:30am in the church. Visitation is also on Tuesday from 4-8pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with a Vigil Service at 4:30pm. The family’s preferred memorial is Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, online at cancer-services.org or by mail to 6316 Mutual Drive, Ft Wayne IN 46825. To share a remembrance of Mary or to offer condolences to her family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.