Marianne Lauterbur Helmlinger graduated from Ball State University with her B.A. in Education and earned her Master’s Degree from University of Dayton. Marianne was a public-school teacher for 38 years having taught predominantly in Sidney City Schools while several of her early years were in St. Mary’s schools. While Marianne was raising seven children, she never failed to find time for her church and the issues about which she felt deeply.
Marianne was a pioneer in the state of Ohio for mental health issues and was passionate about working to better the understanding and treatment of those facing mental health issues. She was the co-founder of Shelby County’s Alliance for the Mentally Ill, having served as president for several years. She was a very active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and served on the NAMI Ohio Board for 15 years She was also a member of the NAMI Darke, Miami and Shelby County Board as well as the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services. She served on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for 18 years.
Marianne was also very active in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Holy Angels Altar Society for 50 years serving as a Eucharistic Minister for Holy Angels Catholic Church. She was a member of Newman Club (member and historian) and an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 62 years. She was a lifetime member of Ohio Retired Teachers Association, a member of the Shelby County Retired Teacher Association acting as legislative chair for several years. She was a Wilson Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer, a member of the American Association of University Women, and was Citizen of the Year in 1992.
Helmlinger served as program chairman and vice-president of the Shelby County AARP and was Shelby County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1993.
In her long and full lifetime, she never faltered in believing that she could do something to help regardless of the commitment it might take. She stands as an example of a woman capable of accomplishing much in a quiet and authentic manner.