Obituary: Helke, Pete F.
Age 92
HELKE, Pete F.
Pete F. Helke passed away Sunday, Febrary 14, 2016, at his home in Colbert, WA., of causes related to age.
He was 92.
Pete was born November 17, 1923, in Pomeroy to Theodore and Ollie (Morris) Helke.
He was raised in Pomeroy graduating from high school there.
After high school, he entered the U.S. Army during World War II and was deployed from 1943 to 1945.
Upon his discharge, he and Mary Amelia Sitzberger were married on February 19, 1946, in Pomeroy at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Pete went back to school at Washington State College and graduated with a degree in pharmacy.
Pete was a pharmacist for many years, owning and operating Pete’s Pill Box in Spokane.
After retirement, they moved back to Pomeroy, substituting as a pharmacist in the Lewiston-Clarkston area.
Pete was also a communicant of the Catholic faith.
Pete is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Amelia Helke, with the funeral coinciding with their 70th anniversary in the church they were married in.
He is also survived by his children Mike (Jeanne) Helke, Peter Helke, Mary (Wayne) Gilbrech, and Rose Martin; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Helke.
Catholic Mass will be Celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pomeroy with Father Bob Turner officiating.
A graveside service and a light luncheon will follow the service.