Helen M. Junk, age 93, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Harbor View Assisted Living in Manitowoc.
Helen was born on July 22, 1932 in Mishicot to the late John and Agnes (Hronek) Rhein. She graduated with honors from Mishicot High School, class of 1950. She then worked at Mirro Aluminum as a payroll manager. On July 30, 1960, Helen married Arnold H. Junk at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mishicot. He preceded her in death on March 21, 2018. Together they ran a dairy farm near Rockwood where they raised their family of four girls. During those years, Helen worked at various jobs outside the home including baking and cooking at Kohlbeck’s Riverview Inn in Reifs Mills, the Manitowoc Elks Club, and at the Bistro at Felician Village. She also was a saleslady for Watkins Products. Helen enjoyed playing sheepshead, bingo, word search puzzles, and doing genealogy. She was a member of the Rockwood Homemakers, Rockwood Seniors, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
Survivors include Helen’s four daughters, Diane (Alan) Backhaus, Manitowoc; Judy (Mark) Rahmlow, Mishicot; Janet (Dave) Gahagan, Cato; and JoAnn (Jim) Wagner, Manitowoc; eight grandchildren, Rachel Backhaus (Clay Kautzer), Julie Backhaus (Jason Sadowski), Jena (Dalton) Hurda, Jarrod (Kendall) Rahmlow, Trent Rahmlow, Kyra Rahmlow (Dalton Genrich), Kaden Rahmlow, and Alyssa (Nick) Jandrin; six great grandchildren, Jackson and Lilah Jandrin, Lucy and Lily Kautzer, and Henry and Harvey Rahmlow; sister, Mary (Donald) Reif; sister-in-law, Marie (Roger) Hurda; also other relatives and friends. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Agnes Rhein; husband, Arnie; brother, Eddie Rhein; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Arogya Prashanth Gade with entombment to take place at Knollwood Mausoleum. A luncheon for family and friends will follow at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc. The family will greet family and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A prayer service led by Deacon Mike Dolezal will take place at 6 p.m. to conclude the visitation. The visitation will continue on Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff at Harbor View Assisted Living, along with Dr. Mark Herring and his nurse Ann, for all of their compassionate care of our mother.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
