Mary Helmbrecht Obituary

Mary Lou Helmbrecht, age 77, of Buffalo, died Sunday, August 31, 2025, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2025, at St. Timothy Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake.

Mary Louise Helmbrecht was born on September 3, 1947, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to William and Catherine (Smith) Helmbrecht. She spent her life in the same cherished home in rural Buffalo, where she built a life grounded in faith, family, and friends. She graduated with the Class of 1965 from Maple Lake High School.

Mary Lou worked at Buffalo Veneer and Plywood for 47 years where she retired as a supervisor and also served as the Carpenters Union steward. Mary Lou was a devoted and lifetime member of St. Timothy Catholic Church. She served faithfully with the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) and cherished the friendships and fellowship she found there.

Mary Lou found joy in baking, cooking, traveling (especially to Duluth), reading, gardening, and working on puzzles. She especially looked forward to Saturday coffee gatherings with her close-knit group of girlfriends, affectionately known as the "Coffee Clutch." Family was at the heart of Mary Lou's world. She loved attending the many events of her great-nieces and great-nephews, always clapping proudly from the sidelines. A new favorite of Mary Lou's was dancing with her great-nephew, Trevor.

Mary Lou is survived by her brothers, Ralph Helmbrecht of Annandale and Greg (Debbie) Helmbrecht of Maple Lake; sister-in-law, Sharon Helmbrecht (Dan Rassat) of Buffalo; nieces and nephews, Chantell (Chuck) Buschel, Brandon (Racheal) Helmbrecht, Andrea (Joel) Zwilling, William (Kaitlyn) Helmbrecht, Katie (Mike) Braun, Robert (Abigail) Helmbrecht, Joel (Whitney) Helmbrecht; great-nieces and great-nephews, Ethan, Olivia, Linsey, Trevor, Blair, Aria, Sawyer, Tucker, Hadleigh, Jack, Hailey, Hannah, Shayla, Charlie, Garrett, Skylee, Brayden, and Alannah. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Catherine; brother, Gary; nephew, Brian; sister-in-law, Nancy; great-nephew Elijah; and an infant brother and sister.

William, Robert, Brandon, and Joel Helmbrecht, Katie Braun, and Andrea Zwilling will serve as casket bearers. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

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