On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, Dieter Helm, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away a
few months after his 80 th birthday.
Dieter was born on September 26, 1942 in Berlin, Germany to Elfriede and Werner Helm. It was war
time and Elfriede, alone with her infant, had no way to notify her husband that he had a son whom she
named Dieter. Werner met Dieter for the first time 10 months later in what we can only imagine was a
joyful reunion.
Immigration was always an important subject for Dieter and he was proud to have been through a legal
immigration process in the 1950’s that took years to complete until the family, mom, dad, Dieter and
sister received “the letter”…”you have been approved for immigration.” It was 1956, 3 years after their
application. Dieter was 13. The Helm family of 4 boarded the SS Berlin in June, 1956 from Bremen and
set sail for the USA border. With rough waters the entire trip they landed 10 days later. He remembers
passing the statue of liberty and feeling excited about his new life. The Helm family became US citizens
on November 14, 1962 and were always proud to be Americans with a German heritage.
The school year was about to begin and Dieter had to take tests for grade placement. He advanced a
year, skipping 10 th grade and eventually graduated from Central High School at age 16. His High School
buddies still remain his best friends and memories as they embraced this little German kid and showed
him the ropes of American Teen Life. To Dieters final breath, Jerry Grohskopf remained his best friend.
At age 16 it was difficult to find employment so he began exploring technical classes in design which led
to a career in drafting and design first at R-Way Furniture and later Kohler Mechanical. He finally found
his forever career as a Die Designer at Plastics Engineering Company where his family of co-workers
became an important part of his life. He retired in 2005 at the age of 62.
Music was always a huge part of Dieter’s life. A radio personality as early as the 1960’s, Dieter’s love of
music was shared on weekly radio broadcasts that started locally and expanded to live streaming world-
wide. Over 45 years his program was carried by WHBL, WBKV, WJUB, The Breeze, and finally Live 365
Internet Streaming giving him a global audience. Not wanting his program to be limited he often
described his show as “A light and lively mix of continental music” which exceeded format boundaries.
His bi-lingual narration allowed older listeners memories of home while younger listeners could
understand the program notes as well.
The radio program helped him develop his second love, travel. Along with Marianne he planned and
hosted more than 30 travel adventures for small groups to Germany, Austria, Switzerland in the 1990’s
and later expanded those trips to include Italy, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic and beyond. Dieter
was invited to join Sheboygan Mayor Richard Schneider’s International Committee and led many trips to
Sheboygan’s beloved sister city, Esslingen, Germany. After group travel retirement he and Marianne
continued traveling; Mexico and Asia holding favorite memories. Dieter was a true Global Citizen who
appreciated the sights, sounds, people, cultures, food from an inclusive point of view. Over the years his
hobby business changed names as the focus developed. What began as Souvenirs From Germany
became The Continental Sound Machine and finally Euroline Music and Travel.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marianne and their two daughters Lisa (Chris) Stubbe, Allison
(Jeremy) Schramm, his four grandsons, Benjamin and Lucas Stubbe, Landon and Parker Schramm, sister
Evelyn (Tim) Grasse, sisters-in-law Jeanne (Jim) Moersch, Patti Berger, Rosanne (Ron) Fischer and
brother-in-law, Frank (Gary Silva) Berger. Loved ones preceding him in death are his parents Elfriede
and Werner his grandparents, his in-laws, Frank and Ann Berger and nephew Matthew Moersch. Dieter
will be sadly missed by his friends and family. He counts neighbors from three great neighborhoods
among his most cherished friends. The 14 th Street Gang, The Wonderful Woodside Hills Friends and The
Ponds in the Falls Community.
Zimmer Westview is serving the family with cremation and service to be held on Sunday, January 8 at
W2132 Garton Road, Howards Grove. Visitation will be 12-2:30. Service at 2:30; Elizabeth DenDekker,
family friend and Sharon Richardson Chaplain, officiating.
For those unable to attend service a livestream link can be found on Dieter Helm Obituary page at
www.zimmerfuneralhome.com
Dieter loved beautiful gardens. Memorial funds given in his name will establish an enduring garden in
his community.
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