Helen Marie Tarman, age 99 of Barron, passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at the Barron Hospital. 

She was born April 16, 1919 to Carl and Mathilda (Kunkel) Ernst in Bear Lake Township, Wisconsin.  She was the oldest of 4 children.  She attended Midway School, west of Almena and later attended Turtle Lake High School.  She was a straight “A” student and was delighted to receive her honorary diploma years later.

On September 27, 1941 she married Leonard (Red) Tarman of Turtle Lake at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake.  Together, they ran Red’s Service Station (Erickson’s) in Barron.  They moved into the living quarters of the gas station and managed it until 1966, when Leonard passed away at 48 from a heart attack.  They also worked together delivering U.S. Postal mail to and from Turtle Lake to Spooner. 

After Leonard’s death in 1966, Helen worked for Jerome Foods in the cafeteria and then special products as a turkey breast inspector until she retired. 

She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Barron for over 50 years.  She was active, loved playing bingo and games and doing crafts at Monroe Manor where she was living.  She spent as much time at her home on Upper Turtle Lake as she could.  She especially enjoyed spending time with friends at Daybreak.  She would often tell people “I am only just 99”.  She was a most lovable and sincere person and treated everyone that way as well. 

Helen is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Ballard of Turtle Lake, Joan (Tom) Smrekar of Barron and June (Robert) Liverseed of Owatonna, MN; grandchildren, Charles (Kim) Ballard, Joshua and Jeffry Niederhauser; great-grandchildren Steven and David Ballard, Landon and Rylan Niederhauser; great-great-grandchildren, Talon, Lily, Briella, Camden and Aleigha Ballard; sister-in-law Gloria Ernst; nieces and nephews, Bev Johnson, Shirley (Dan) Gerland, Mark Ernst and Liz (Dan) Boyle.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister and 2 brothers. 

A celebration of life for Helen Tarman is planned for April when she would have turned 100. 

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron. 

Last Update: Feb 20, 2019 7:46 am CST