Patricia “Pat” Helmkamp, age 77, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on August 27, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Elizabeth (MacDonald) Wirick. Pat was a graduate of South Side High School, class of 1964. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Indiana University. Pat was a very devoted and beloved first grade teacher for over 40 years at St. John the Baptist Catholic School. She was a dedicated and supporting mother to her children and loved being a grandmother to her grandchildren. Family came first in her life, and she was extremely proud of hers. Faith was also important to Pat, and she was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Charles. Pat will be remembered as a sweet, kind, and caring person. She will be dearly missed not only by her family, but by her many friends and acquaintances.

Left to cherish her memory are her best friend and husband of 56 years, Dave Helmkamp; sons, Tom (Melissa) Helmkamp and Mark Helmkamp; grandchildren, Madelyn, Alyssa, Alexander, Ella, and Camden; brother, Donald “Mac” Wirick; several nieces and nephews; and her extended family. Pat was preceded in death by her parents; and infant sister, Linda Wirick.

A Mass of Christian Resurrection will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will also be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 with a Rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. Interment at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne at 2:00 p.m. following the Mass. Memorials can be written to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Pat’s name. Condolences can be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com for the family.

Donations

Memorials can be written to the following in Pat’s name:

St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Rd., Ft. Wayne, IN 46815