Wanda Kay Helterbran , 79, of Earl Park, died Saturday, March 13, 2021. She was born on August 24, 1941, in Earl Park to the late Martin & Dorothy (Allen) Robey. Wanda graduated in 1959 from Earl Park High School. In 1961, she married Paul "Bill" Helterbran. Wanda was a retiree from both the Benton Community School Corporation & the Benton County Sherriff's Office where she served over 50 years in two careers. In the mid 1970's, she attended IBM school in Chicago & became certified in computer data & systems management. In her lifetime, she was a member of the Earl Park Presbyterian Church, the church where she was baptized, worshipped, participated in youth groups & church camps, & where she later played both the piano & organ for services, ceremonies & events. Wanda was a member of Daughter of the American Revolution, past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, & served as a Benton County EMS provider. She was a Benton Central Band Booster & the Earl Park Fall Festival Committee. For several years, she & her husband shared a hobby of wood crafting. In her early adult years, Wanda played softball & bowling in local leagues.

Wanda can be remembered as talented in many hobbies including sewing, crochet, crafting, painting, drawing, cooking, gardening, playing cards, word games & in playing music. She was a tremendously gifted pianist & this interest & skill began at the age of three. She could also play the organ, bells, flute, piccolo, saxophone, oboe & clarinet. Wanda performed as the musician in many local weddings & funeral ceremonies & in the orchestra of the summer theatre programs hosted by Benton Central High School. Her love of music never faltered & she was particularly fond of marching bands & described them as the best part of any parade.  Wanda was also known for the decadent candies she made during the holidays-most of which would put any chocolatier or candy maker to shame. Some of Wanda's favorite things included:  carnations, the color aqua, lemon meringue pie, playing solitaire, board games, watching Hallmark movies, enjoying a bowl of vanilla ice cream & hearing the Hallelujah Chorus.

She is survived by 2 Daughters, Wendy Helterbran & Lori Molter (Dennis), Grandsons, Alfonso Ramos (Rebecca), Nicolas Ramos & Chad Keenan, Granddaughter, Kaylee Hagerman Smith (Robby), 2 Great-Grandsons, Oakleon Metry & Ezra Ramos & 3 Great-Granddaughters, Lilly Garrison & Mia & Chloe Smith, all of whom refer to their beloved Great-Grandmother as their "GraNanny".  She is also survived by 3 Step-Daughters, Carla Royer, Kim Helterbran & Chris Helterbran, Step-Son, Doug Helterbran, 6 Step-Grandchildren, Brett & Bradley Royer, Dallas & Lindsay Fountain, Dustin Helterbran, Heather Helterbran Brooks, 11 Step-Great-Grandchildren & 2 Step-Great-Great-Grandchildren. Wanda was preceded in death by an infant brother, Martin, 2 Sisters, Betty Knowling & Shirley Herring, Grandson, Bryan Hagerman & Husband, Paul "Bill" Helterbran.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 10 AM until the time of Memorial Service  at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Deborah Parker officiating, at the Freedom Community Church (formerly known as Earl Park Presbyterian Church), 108 North Elm Street, Earl Park IN. Wanda will be buried in the Earl Park Cemetery, following the memorial service. The family requests that guests follow CDC recommendations & wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Central Band/Music Boosters, C/o Fowler State Bank, P.O. Box 511, Fowler, IN 47944, or at any Fowler State Bank branch. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, Indiana, is assisting Wanda's family. Visit www.shoemakerfh.com or Shoemaker Funeral Home-Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page to leave any condolences or to share a memory of Wanda, with her family.