I'm but a stranger here, Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear; Heaven is my home:
Danger and sorrow stand Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home.
ORRIN HELMER
Orrin was born in the village of Kingston on October 5, 1925, the son of George and Leona (Penn) Helmer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Kingston of which he remained a member his entire life. He attended school in Kingston and Markesan, graduating from Markesan High School in 1943. He proudly served his country during the Korean War in the 45th Infantry Division and was awarded the Japan Occupational Medal, the Combat Infantry Man’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Combat Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. Orrin worked for 10 years for the Green Lake County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator. He was the fire chief for the village of Kingston Fire Department for 18 years. He started working at the Kingston House in 1960 and has been affiliated with it in different capacities since that time. He was elected as a director of the Kingston-Dalton State Bank in 1967, serving in that position until 1990 and then serving as an advisory director until April of 1998. He was elected to the Green Lake County Board of Supervisors in 1970 and had been re-elected since then. He declined to run for re-election in April of 2010, having served 40 continuous years. He served on numerous committees of the board and also as its vice chairman from April 1994 until January 1999, at which time he was elected its chairman and served in that capacity until April 19, 2010. He lived most of his life in the Kingston area and enjoyed playing golf and traveling as time permitted.
Orrin W. Helmer, age 95 of Kingston, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Barrett House in Markesan. A memorial service for Orrin will be take place on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church, 316 Vine St., Kingston at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Hagen officiating. Inurnment will take place at Kingston Cemetery. Orrin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Herman; sisters, Helen and Evelyn; and other relatives. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
We are grateful to Orrin Helmer for his legacy gift to our congregation to support educational scholarships.