Joanne Marie Benke- Helm

Joanne left us peacefully from home on June 13, 2013, loved and supported by family, friends and caring professionals. The Faith and Hope she quietly relied on, especially over the past eight years, led her forward.

Joanne was born January 1, 1947 to John and Helen (Roling) Benke. She grew up in a large house with a big porch with her parents, grandparents, and younger brother Bob. Her small hometown of Dyersville, Iowa and the people there were always special to her. She remembered a childhood filled with cousins, friends, the basilica and it’s bells, large yards, and porches to play and talk on. An aptitude test in high school pointed her towards her lifelong vocation. She earned her first social work degree in 1969 from St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, a Benedictine College noted for its emphasis on service. She kept a love for the school and her teachers all her life. Her desire to see the mountains led her to the county welfare agency in Denver. She intended to stay in Colorado until an unexpected opportunity brought her back to Iowa to obtain her MSW, MPA, and meet her future husband. While in Iowa she supervised and conducted reviews of assisted living homes.

Joanne and Ron married May 28, 1977 in St. Francis Basilica in Dyersville, and she came to San Diego, a city she never expected to live in. She worked for several social service agencies before starting a career lasting over 20 years with Kaiser Home Health.

Joanne had two children, Lisa and Jonathan, whom she loved deeply. The past thirty six years flew by with the activities she enjoyed doing with them as children and adults, including soccer games, holiday parties, trips to national parks, visits to the Iowa grandparents, picnics, all kinds of games, and, of course, Notre Dame football. She guided her children with a balance of direction and freedom. Her legacy is two independent, caring individuals.

Joanne is remembered with love by her husband, Ron, children Lisa and Jonathan, brother Robert and his wife Susan, niece Jordan and husband's father Morris Helm. She is also remembered by many life long friends for her smile, calmness, and effective support.

Her parents and her husband’s mother, Helene Helm, preceded her in death.

Visitation is Tuesday June 18, 4 – 8:30 pm at Clairemont Mortuary. Mass is Wednesday June 19, 10 am, at Ascension Catholic Parish in Tierrasanta, followed by burial at El Camino cemetery.

Donations can be made to the Joanne Benke-Helm Scholarship Fund at the College of St. Scholastica, 1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth, MN 55811. Funds will be used to support a social work student. For questions about the fund, please contact Gary Garlie at [email protected].