Helen Zarr

Helen Bachmeier Zarr

Helen Bachmeier was born September 28, 1919, on the Bachmeier Farm south of Esmond ND. Her parents were Daniel and Theresia Bachmeier. Helen was the sixth child in a family of 14 children. Today only one brother remains. Helen died on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the age of 104.

Helen was educated at the Rich Valley Country School and St. James Academy in New Rockford, ND. She graduated from the New York Hairdressing Academy in 1942.

For entertainment on weekends, Helen and friends would go to dances and amateur hour at the Grand Gardens. She was introduced to John Zarr who lived in Devils Lake. John played Semi-pro baseball and worked at the lumberyard.

On April 20, 1942, Helen and John were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Devils Lake. They were blessed with three daughters: Sharon, Linda, and Jackie. They have 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren.

Helen was active in Girl Scouts as a leader and camp director at Wood Lake. She was Secretary of the St. Joseph’s Church Board for seven years where she was a faithful member and loved attending daily Mass. She also belonged to St. Gerard’s Altar Society Circle.

Helen owned and operated Helen’s Beauty Shop for over 50 years. It was first located above Kelly’s Store and then moved to 5^th Avenue. She was Secretary-Treasurer for the Lake Region Hairdresser’s Association for nearly 20 years. She was also a member of the State and National Cosmetology Association.

John and Helen enjoyed golfing and were members of the Town and Country Golf Club for many years. Helen was the Club Champion four times. She played golf with her daughter until she turned 90 and taught many of her grandchildren how to play the game.

Helen belonged to the Lake Region Women’s Bowling Association and the National 600 Club. She traveled to many State and National Bowling Tournaments. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Elks Lodge. Helen enjoyed walking every day and cheering on her Minnesota Twins baseball team.

After John died on July 15, 1987, Helen moved to Skyview Apartments where she lived for 15 years. She moved to Eventide Heartland Care in December of 2017 after falling and breaking her wrist.

Helen is survived by daughter Sharon Dosch, Linda Schwab, and Jackie (Dick) Johnson, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Marvin (Diane) Bachmeier.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, John, sons-in-law Ron Dosch and Duane Schwab, granddaughter Ashley Johnson and twelve siblings.

Throughout her life Helen was a profound influence on all members of her family whom she loved deeply and will be missed by all. As Helen would always say “Have a good life!”

Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with a Rosary at 1:30 p.m.  Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Casket Bearers will be Helen’s grandchildren Troy Dosch, Kari Hunt, Nathan Dosch, Alicia Lewis, Cory Schwab, Brady Schwab, Craig Johnson, Ryan Johnson, and Brent Johnson. Eucharistic Gift Bearers will be Helen’s daughters Sharon, Linda, and Jackie. Reading Scriptures will be Kari Hunt and Nathan Dosch and Prayers of the Faithful by Brent Johnson.