Jennifer Jean (Schaefer) Helle was born to Gene and Reta Schaefer on November 1, 1956, in Storm Lake, Iowa, and graduated from Arnolds Park High School before marrying and having 2 children.
Jennifer worked many years at Stylecraft in Milford before graduating from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2000 with her nursing degree. She worked labor and delivery for many years helping deliver and educate families before starting her time as a traveling nurse and finally transitioning to a hospice nurse.
Jennifer fought her terminal cancer diagnosis for more than 7 1/2 years, baffling several doctors and nurses alike along the way. She constantly reminded herself and loved ones that she had cancer, it did not have her. She often sought out others and demanded that they adopt a similar optimistic fighting attitude. She loved being a nurse, most animals (especially dogs, but most certainly not chipmunks), riding her bicycle, RAGBRAI, and, more than anything, her children and grandchildren.
Jennifer passed away at her home in Milford, with her family by her side, on September 4, 2024. Jennifer was preceded in death by both her parents and beloved yellow lab, JD. She is survived by her brother, Jeff Schaefer and his partner Cherry, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; son Jay Sprague, and his wife Kat, of Okoboji, Iowa; daughter, Jessi Sprague, and her partner Jason, of El Paso, Texas; grandchildren, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Levi, together with countless other friends, loved ones, and her bicycle family Team Checker.
At Jennifer’s request there will be no formal funeral services. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers or plants, that donations be made to Dickinson County Trail system, Northwest Iowa Humane Society, or Dream Team (Des Moines), a program that uses the power of a bicycle to help youth develop a positive approach to life’s challenges. Above all, to remember you are stronger than anything life throws at you.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
