Everyone who knew her could say there was “no one quite like Helen.” It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Helen Ruppel. Helen passed on June 3, 2023, peacefully at her daughter's home, surrounded by her family at the age of 84. She was born in Sheboygan, WI on August 23, 1938, to Milton and Louise Greger. Helen was a determined women who loved to help others learn. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from Lakeland College and a Reading Specialist license from Cardinal Stritch College. Helen was Lakeland College's first Master's Graduate Student - an honor she was most proud of. Her love of teaching paved her career path as a Title 1 Reading Specialist for the Sheboygan Area School District. Helen started teaching in 1977 and retired at the age of 79. Yes, you read that correctly she was almost 80 when she retired. That goes to show you her love for her students and her dedication to teaching.

Coming from humble beginnings, she loved giving to those in need. Little known fact...Santa Claus really lived on north 4th street. Maybe you were one of the lucky family's over the years that woke up on December 24 with a huge bag full of gifts anonymously delivered by our mother. Those gift wrapping parties sure were fun. Helen loved volunteering at the Midsummer Festival of the Arts at JMKAC. She also enjoyed her flowers, knitting and hanging out with her high school lady friends affectionately known as “club.” But, her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She would attend every event they were involved in-cowbell in hand.

Helen will be greatly missed by her daughters Julie (Corey) Carpenter-Sussex, WI and Jill (Robert) Levenhagen Sheboygan, WI; and the "daughter" that Helen was most proud of-LuAnn Kober; grandchildren Alyssa Levenhagen, Rhett Carpenter and Gavin Carpenter; more like a sister than a cousin-Judith Wehmeyer; lifelong friend-Mary Turk; and the ever present neighbors Penny and Wayne Eisner; and one hell of special care giver-Kelly Koenigs; brothers, Kenneth (Caroline) Greger and Richard (Carol) Greger; Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Brother-Ronald Greger, Sister-Mary Bergemann, and most beloved granddaughter, Amber Levenhagen.

A mother, a friend, a grandma too, this is the legacy we have from you.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a future date.