Jessica Ryan Helmbreck, 16 years old, of Beaver Dam, earned her angel wings on July 27, 2016 while at home embraced in the loving arms of her mother and two sisters. For 13 years, Jessica fiercely fought the beast, Ewing’s Sarcoma. Day after day, she persevered and showed us the true meaning of life, strength, and love. Jessica touched so many lives with her smile and sweet heart. She loved children and often made care packages to bring to the hospital in hopes to brighten their day during chemo treatments. She also loved going to One Step Camp and having fun with other kids who really understood what it was like to have cancer. Jessie’s Journey is not over. It will continue on through all of us as we share her memories and fight for a cure. “Though she may be little, she is fierce”. She is our forever warrior and hero. A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, with the Rev. Jeff Nicholas officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Jessica was born on July 21, 2000 to Bart and Jacqueline (Richter) Helmbreck in Madison, WI. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaver Dam. Jessica enjoyed crafting, music, and babysitting. She also loved skiing in Utah. Jessica attended ‘One Step at a Time’ in Lake Geneva. Jessica will be deeply missed by her mother Jackie Richter-Helmbreck of Beaver Dam; her father Bart (Kim) Helmbreck of Milwaukee; her 2 sisters Jenna Helmbreck of Beaver Dam and Joceline Helmbreck of Beaver Dam; her 2 step-sisters Shanda (Aaron) Payne of AZ and Sarah Oliver of Milwaukee; her maternal grandparents Jack & Sharon Richter of Pardeeville; her paternal grandparents Andy Helmbreck of AZ and Judy Helmbreck of TX; her aunt Jolene (Brett) Wheeler of Poynette, her uncle John (Val) Richter of Hudson, her aunts Yvonne (Bob) Newsome of TX and Kelly Millett of AZ; her cousins Maverick, Manning, Alexa, and Jack of WI; also cousins Tani of AZ, Michael & Nikki of TX, and Brian (Denise) of TX; her godparents Lawrence and Jeanette Meade of Merrimac, WI; Jessica will be cherished dearly by her best friend Morgan Kuhl, incredibly kind neighbors, and many other family & friends. Jessica was welcomed into Heaven by her great grandparents and her maternal great grandmother Irene Blake, her aunt Janell Richter, and her uncle Timothy Helmbreck. Words cannot express our deepest appreciation to the Children’s Hospital staff; they are like our second family and there are too many people to name. We would like to thank Jefferson Elementary School and Beaver Dam Middle School & High School – they have been a major support system and have loved us immensely. We would also like to give a very special thank you to our dear friend and home nurse Patty DeVries, and Mike and Laura Shutta for all of your support and love over the years. Your wings were ready, but my heart was not; Love you to the moon and back – XOXO Mama.
