Ella Mae Helm

Ella Mae (Markwardt) Helm, age 73, of Waco, passed away Tuesday evening, April 8, 2014 at Providence Hospice Place in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with the Rev. Terry McElrath officiating. Burial will follow at Gerald Cemetery near Leroy. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Ella Mae was born August 23, 1940 in Hoen, the daughter of Otto William and Ella Annie (Lander) Markwardt. She attended schools in the Axtell, Malone, Penelope, Savage and Mt. Calm areas. On October 12, 1956 she was united in marriage to William "Sonny" Helm in McLennan County, Texas. William preceded her in death on September 5, 2008. Ella Mae was a homemaker and worked over the years for Progress Laundromat, Diamond's Cafe and Ed's Truck Stop in Waco. She also served as a Secretary and Treasurer for the Bellmead Senior Center for several years. Ella and her husband William always loved to entertain and sing for several of the nursing homes in Waco for many years. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends and was a very loving and caring person. Ella is also preceded in death by her parents; and a grandson, Kevin Gaidusek; and a sister, Sherry Orth. Survivors include her daughter, Karen Curtis of Waco; a granddaughter, Michelle Gaidusek; three brothers, Odis Markwardt, Eddie Markwardt and wife Jewell and William Markwardt and wife Liz; three sisters, Betty Morris, Elsie Eaton and husband Olis and Linda McDaniel; a brother-in-law, Ron Orth; her beloved dog, "Little Bit"; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Gary Morris, Ronnie Perry, Larry Morris, Belton Attaway, Steven Markwardt and Michael Perry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Hospice Place.