Although there may have been benefits to becoming a War Bride, the difficulties likely outnumbered them. Helene gave birth to her first child, Kris, in 1949 while Delbert was still stationed in Germany. She was happy to have her mother, father, and siblings nearby to enjoy the life of her newborn daughter. Within two years, though, Helene and Delbert were transferred to Sheboygan, Wisconsin where their son, Steve, was born. Life was challenging for Helene. She found herself in an unfamiliar country and quickly on her own as Delbert was deployed to Korea. As with any challenge Helene faced, she faced it head-on and with grace. She perfected her English and immediately found employment as a bookkeeper for a car dealership in the area.
The Yocum family grew over time as Delbert, on his career military path, was deployed to Korea, Germany, Beirut and Vietnam. Helene and the children followed Delbert whenever possible, but like many military spouses, she was left virtually alone to raise their five children. And my, what a job she did! Her children have often wondered, with awe, just how she managed to work outside the home, raise five healthy children, move from place to place, keep the house spotless, dishes and laundry always done, and a full meal on the table by 6:00 every evening.
And in the midst of all this, it’s not a stretch to say that Helene saved the lives of each of her children at least once! From turning baby Steve upside down as he choked on a coin, to insisting that the doctors in the military hospital take Randy’s illness more seriously than they were - and only moments before his appendix burst - to jumping into a moving car to pull the emergency brake as three of her children were in a runaway car heading downhill, to somehow managing to drive while holding tightly to an unbuckled Patty when the car door flung open while rounding a very sharp curve.
She was amazing alright, and what fun! After Delbert retired from the military in 1968 and the family settled into their first home in the Ft. Leonard Wood area, there was never a German Fasching or New Year’s Eve that went uncelebrated in the Yocum house! She was a social butterfly and we all considered her the Hostess with the Mostest. The house was decorated for every holiday and season; Jazz, Polka and other German music was often heard playing, and she could always be found humming and moving in time while cooking, baking, and tending to her house.
Helene and Delbert’s dream from the moment they settled was to build their own home. It took many years, but they did, almost exclusively - and quite literally - build their own home. Together, with family input, they planned and designed the house. With the help of Randy and Steve, the very skillful Army Engineer Delbert tore down barracks on the Fort to collect wood for framing. They dug the basement, poured the concrete, and built the house. Helene was always close by with food, cake, coffee, lemonade, and suggestions. It was definitely a full family effort. During this time, Helene was also busy running an income tax and bookkeeping office which she owned in Dixon. We all knew one of her greatest joys was being called the “tax lady” by the children she passed while walking through town.
There is no doubt Helene and Delbert worked hard for everything they owned and they lived life to its fullest. As time passed and their children started lives and families of their own, Helene and Delbert took the opportunity to travel and have fun. Patty remembers a particular New Year’s Eve when she called her parents (early, so she could go to bed) to wish them a Happy New Year. To her amazement, her 70+ year old parents were just on their way out to go dancing! We think Delbert would agree, Helene definitely kept life fun, and he was known for saying that she always made him look good. Along with the countless excursions they made every year to see family and friends, they most looked forward to attending Delbert’s 371st Engineer Battalion Reunion. Of their many accomplishments in life, Delbert’s status as Veteran, and Helene’s as wife of a Veteran, stands as their proudest.