Charlene Rae Helms, age 64 of Appleton, formerly of Shawano, died on Friday, October 3, 2014 at her home. Born on May 2, 1950 in Clintonville, she is the daughter of the late Ned and Arlette (Sether) Nehring. Charlene was united in marriage to Harold Helms, Jr. on November 15, 1969 at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Marion. After attending beauty school, she became the owner and operator of her own salon in Shawano for many years, and also served as the church secretary at Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano for several years. She was very musically inclined, which she showcased in several arenas such as, singing in the Sweet Adeline's and the choir at Zion, playing the bells in Zion's Joyful Ringers and playing in the Marion Minutemen Community Band. Charlene also enjoyed going on casino trips. She is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sherwood, Wisconsin and former member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano where she was extremely involved with the worship and music committee. Charlene will always be remembered for her love of entertaining, particularly during the holidays and family gatherings where she featured the tasty morsels she created in her kitchen. She adored her family and was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who especially enjoyed cheering her kids on at their sporting and musical events. Her infectious laughter could be heard while playing cards, swimming and relaxing during the many times spent at the cabins in Pelican Lake and the Chain of Lakes. Charlene is survived by: her loving husband, Harold of Appleton; 2 children, Brian (Terri) Helms of Sherwood and Karmen (Scott) Haldiman of Appleton; 4 grandchildren, Martin and Mason Helms, Justin and Alison Sommer; her sister, Sherry (James) Klitz of Neenah; her mother-in-law Joyce (the late Harold, Sr.) Helms of Marion; and her brother-in-law Roger (Sharon) Helms of Kaukauna. Charlene is preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law, Harold Helms, Sr. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano with the Rev. Gisele Berninghaus officiating. Visitation and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the church on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in the Greenleaf Cemetery in Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either Pancreatic Cancer Research, in care of the Lustgarten Foundation (www.lustgarten.org), or Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sherwood, WI.