Helen Wippich

“You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy!” (Psalm 92:4)

Helen Wippich, age 92, of Lake Park, MN passed away peacefully at the Cottage, Ecumen Memory Care, in Detroit Lakes, MN on April 10, 2022.

Helen Pauline Schauer was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Paul, MN on August 29, 1929 to Herbert & Minna (Danner) Schauer. She was later baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Zion Lutheran Church, Jackson & Sycamore, in St. Paul, MN on September 22, 1929. Helen would attend her first eight grades of school at Zion Lutheran parochial school before attending Washington High School, St. Paul, graduating in 1947. After graduation she worked as a key-punch operator for St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance. She also sang in the Twin Cities Acapella Choir under the direction of Dr. Paul Manz.

On June 12, 1954 she married the Rev. Henry W. Biberdorf in St. Paul, MN. They made their home first in Fredericksburg, IA where Henry served St. Paul Lutheran Church. Later she would move with Henry to serve churches in Victor, IA (St. James) and finally in Hillsboro, ND (St. John), where Henry passed away in 1969. Helen continued to live in Hillsboro where she worked for Northwest Bank and Hillsboro Day Care. Later she moved to Fargo, ND, and spent a year as secretary for the North Dakota District, LC-MS.

On September 3, 1986 she married H.A. Voll in Fargo, ND. He died August 14, 1988. She would later marry the Rev. Fred Wippich at her home on Lake Ida on December 26, 2011. Years earlier Fred had been the best man at Helen and Henry’s wedding.

Her greatest joys in life were taking care of her children and raising her voice in praise to God. She also enjoyed tending to her flowers, visiting with friends and relatives, and enjoying life at her home on Lake Ida. Helen was also deeply involved with LWML, as well as directing and singing in her church choirs.

Helen is survived by her husband, the Rev. Fred Wippich; her children, Ann (Dwayne), Tucson, AZ, Richard (Valerie), Carrington, ND, David (Peggy), Grand Forks, ND, and Nancy (Steve), North Ridgeville, OH; six grandchildren, Elliot (Rachel) Spaudie, Kaitlyn (Ben) Van Dyke, Nathanael Biberdorf, Philip Biberdorf, Rachel Biberdorf, and Leah (Leo) Lakpa; and three great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, the Rev. Henry Biberdorf and H.A. Voll; two brothers, Bertram Schauer and Herbert Schauer and one sister, Doris Werfelmann.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Zion Lutheran Church of Detroit Lakes Music Fund.