Connie DeEtte Kind (Helmer) was born on July 30th, 1945 at her Grandma’s house in Prescott, Wisconsin, surrounded by the love of her parents, 2 older brothers, 2 older sisters and later a younger sister. She grew up in that area helping her parents on the farm and later car hopping at their family Root Beer stand in Ellsworth. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1963 and worked at West Publishing in St. Paul until 1964 when she married her high school sweetheart on April 4, 1964 at Svea Lutheran Church in Hager City, WI. They lived in Madison, WI, while Bill completed his college degree. Together, they began a 61- year life of adventure and love raising three children Stephanie, Gretchen and Brian.

In support of Bill’s teaching career, they went on to live in Ellsworth, WI, Hibbing, MN, Turtle Lake, WI, Fairbanks, AK and ultimately retired in Rice Lake, WI. Her inherent qualities of empathy and compassion led her to continually pursue professional opportunities to help young people, especially at-risk youth. She earned a Medical Assistance Degree from Wisconsin Indian-Head Technical Institute, working at the Barron Hospital and Cumberland Mental Health Clinic. While raising her family she worked in the Fairbanks schools in a secretarial capacity, staying close to her children and husband. Eventually, after her kids were all in college, she went back to school herself, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services in 1989 from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and subsequently working with the Alaska Youth Initiative and Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption before starting her own family counseling business. As a volunteer, she was instrumental in developing the Boys and Girls Club of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks Samaritan Counseling Center.

Connie spent a lifetime enjoying friends and family. Her favorite pastimes included playing cribbage, bridge, euchre or other games in a room full of loved ones. Her smiles and laughter were always a warm part of social get-togethers and many special one-on-one friendships. She enjoyed curling with her husband and friends, travelling to San Francisco, Branson, Hawaii, Canada, Scotland and Sweden among other places. She especially enjoyed family camping trips, fishing and spending time with her children, always insisting that they were all together for Christmas and other holidays. She particularly loved to decorate and fill the home with love and snowmen.

She had an ever-present sense of humor, a love of corny puns, and was always there to empathize and listen whenever her children or others needed to connect to an ear and a heart. She always left no doubt that she loved and enjoyed those that were close to her. She and Bill returned to Wisconsin, survivors of a moose-car accident that left Connie with health issues related to head trauma. Together she and her ever-present and supportive husband continued to love and enjoy family for another 25 years, embracing a welcoming community in Rice Lake. She stayed an active participant at the Rice Lake Curling Club and Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Campia, and continued to enjoy the close bonds with friends and family, especially basking in the joys of spending time with her four grandchildren. There were many pontoon rides, fireworks, late night card games, and fishing. She particularly loved to spoil her grandkids at Christmas with presents, fun decorations, and Christmas wreath cookies. It was a blessing for her to watch them grow into young adulthood.

She is survived by husband Bill Kind, their three children, Stephanie, Gretchen and Brian, as well as Gretchen’s husband Scott Rauch and her four Grandchildren Tyler Rauch, Carter Rauch, George Kind and Madeline Kind. She is also survived by her younger sister Beatta Eichman, and in-law’s Eddie Carver, Larry Yochim, Peter Kind, Maureen Kind, Joe and Pat Kind and many beloved nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by parents Bernard and Ethel Helmer (Madsen), brothers Valarian and Dale, sisters Sandy and Ila, In-Laws Kay Eichman, Bob and Lois Kind, Marlin and Janice Torseth, Sandi Kind, and Don Kind.

Visitation will be held Sunday, July 20th at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals, 19 W Messenger St, Rice Lake, from 4pm to 7pm. The celebration of life will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2502 23rd Avenue, Rice Lake, WI on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 11AM with visitation beginning at 10am. Donations can be made in Connie’s memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Rice Lake or the National Alzheimer’s Association.

Last Update: Jul 15, 2025 7:34 am CDT