Ethel Helwege

Ethel M. Helwege, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Oct. 27, 1924, in Tilsit, daughter of Walter and Ida Hoffmeister Birk. She and Ervin Helwege were married Nov. 2, 1946. He passed away Jan. 28, 1966.

Ethel was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, where she was a longtime member. She worked at the former Brown Shoe Factory in Cape Girardeau more than 30 years before retiring.

Loving survivors include six nieces, June Lincoln of Dexter, Mo., Sharon Rider of Cedar Hill, Mo., Lucille Schweer and Carol Stover of Jackson, Pam Birk of Houston and Linda Parker of Del Rapids, S.D.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Nathan Burgell officiating. Interment will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.