HELEN BARBARA CATHERINE SCHAEFER
20. Helen Barbara Catherine4 Schaefer (George Albert3 Schäfer, Georg2, Georg1) was born 11 November 190317at Wyckoff Ave. and Summerfield St., Evergreen Bor., Queens, City of NY, NY and died 11 January 197718 in Pompton Plains, Pequannock Twp., Morris Co., NJ. She married Albert Joseph Christopher Louis Wallner 21 January 1931 in St Matthias R.C. Church, 58-15 Catalpa Ave., Ridgewood NY 1122719. He was born 16 February 1901 in 345 South First Street, New York City, New York20, and died 30 November 1972 in Borough of Lincoln Park, Pequannock Twp, Morris NJ.
Helen Barbara Catherine SchaeferHelen Barbara Catherine Schaefer was probably named for her maternal grandmother, Barbara (Hoffelder) Koehler, and paternal grandmother, Catherine (Dockweiler) Schafer. In later years, Helen used her Confirmation name, Elizabeth, as her middle name. Her birth record indicates that she was born at Wyckoff Avenue and Summerfield St, Brooklyn, Queens Co., NY. (This is the area that was originally known as "Evergreen", which later became Ridgewood).
Philip Francis, Helen Barbara and George Peter Schaefer, Brooklyn NY, circa 1911Helen's parents, Katherina C. (Kati) Koehler and George Albert Schafer, both died in 1910 when Helen was 7 years old. At the time of her father's death, 18 January 1910, the Schaefer family was living at 165 Wyckoff Avenue in the Evergreen Borough of Queens, NY.
Eight months later, when her mother died on 5 September, the family was living at 1775 Madison Street, Evergreen Borough of Queens. The house numbers were changed in the Evergreen/Ridgewood area within the next few years, and it is likely that the 1775 Madison Street address is the old number corresponding to the new number 2329 Madison Street address which was the home of her mother's parent's, Barbara (Hoffelder) and Phillip Koehler.
Helen and her two brothers, George Peter and Philip Francis Schaefer, were raised by their maternal grandparents, Barbara (Hoffelder) and Phillip Koehler in their home at the 2329 Madison Street, Ridgewood NY, and it is probable that the children and their mother had moved in with them at the time of George Schafer's death.
Helen Barbara Schaefer First CommunionThe 1920 Federal Cenus for Queens County, NY, Ward 2, Supervisor's District 4, Enumeration District 392, Sheet 6B, Film 1821236, dated 12 January 1920 for 2329 Madison Street, shows Helen, age 16, and her two brothers, George, age 14, and Pbilip, age 10, living with their grandparents, Phillip Koehler, age 74, and Barbara (Hoffelder) Koehler, age 70. Also living with them was their Aunt Anna Koehler, their mother's sister, age 42. This record indicates that Phillip Koehler had retired, as no occupation is listed. Anna's occupation is listed as wash - laundry.
Helen Barbara Catherine Elizabeth Schaefer ConfirmationThe following newspaper article was probably from the Ridgewood Times, Ridgewood NY, May 1930, although no notation to same appears on the article:
MISCELLANEOUS SHOWER
FOR HELEN SCHAEFER
A surprise shower was given for Miss H. Schaefer on Thursday evening, May 1. Helen Schaefer is known in Ridgewood and is a member of St. Matthias Church. The party was attended by many friends and held at the home of Mrs. C. Kaufman, the former Abby Kluepfel, also a former Ridgewoodite, now living at 81st Road, Glendale.
The decorations were very festive, the centerpiece being especially suitable for the occasion in the form of an umbrella, made of roses, and tinsel, representing the.... (illegible) Miss Schaefer, not having the suspicion of the shower, was surprised momentarily when brought into the darkened room by her fiance, Albert Wallner, and everyone shouted surprise.
After having regained her composure, she was the recipient of (illegible) gifts. An elaborate luncheon was served by the hostess, Mrs. C. Kaufmann, and a delightful time was had by all. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. C. Kaufmann, Mr. and Mrs. C. (illegible, probably Dauphin), Al Wallner, Johanna Wallner, (illegible) Wallner, Irma Wallner, Hilda (illegible, probably Joseph), Tess Griesmer, Madeline (illegible), (illegible) Manz, Dot Deimer, (illegible) Smith, Sophie Kluepfel and Louise Sturm.
Helen Barbara Schaefer married Albert Joseph Christopher Wallner on 21 January 1931. Albert was the son of Josef Louis Wallner and Elfrieda Huch. They were married at St. Matthias Church, 58-15 Catalpa avenue, Ridgewood NY.
Newspaper article hand-dated 12 February 1931. No reference is given as to the name of the publication:
WALLNER - SCHAEFER
Miss Helen Schaefer of Ridgewood became the bride of Albert Wallner, of Chicago, at St. Matthias R.C.Church in Ridgewood.
The bride was given in marriage by her brother, George, wore a gown of ivory satin, made princess style, and carried a bouquet of lillies of the valley and white roses. She was attended by Mrs. C. Kaufmann, matron of honor, who wore a gown of peach colored lace with a picture hat of maline. The bridesmaid, Louise Sturm, wore a turquoise lace gown with maline hat to match. Philip Schaefer, brother of the bride, acted as best man, and the usher was Chris Kaufmann.
After the ceremony, a reception was held at Trommker's Grill.
After a honeymoon, Mrs. and Mrs. Wallner will reside in Chicago, Illinois.
In the family collection, along with the wedding portrait, is a receipt for the Commodore Hotel, Grand Central Terminal, NY for January 21 and 22, 1931, which is stamped Wallner, Mr & Mrs. Chic Ill. It can be assumed that this is where Helen and Albert J. Wallner spent their wedding night. The total of the bill, for the two nights, including tax was $16.20
Before their wedding, Albert J. Wallner was evidently employed in Chicago, and according to the newspaper announcement of their marriage, the couple planned to live in Chicago, although no information has been located to verify same.
At the time of their first son's birth, in 1933, the Wallners were residing at 78-19 86th Street Glendale , Queens Co., NY. In 1935 they were living at 8106 78th Avenue in Glendale, and in 1937-9 were living at 8831 81st Road, Glendale at the time their two daughters were born. During this entire period, Helen's two brothers, Philip F. and George P. were also living with the Wallner family. Philip F. died in 1937 (see Philip Francis Schaefer) and then George P. (see George Peter Schaefer) married in 1939. According to Helen's notes, the 81st Street address was the home of Rose Smith.
Helen (Schaefer) Wallner Easter 1942 Helen Schaefer atop
120 Broadway, NYCWhen Albert J. Wallner went to build Army bases in Trinidad with his sister Hilda's husband, Barney Joseph, in 1940, Helen and the three children moved into the Joseph's home at 481 Archer Street, Freeport, Long Island NY, where they remained until his return. (See Albert J. Wallner). In September 1941, their third daughter was born. A telegram was sent to Albert J. Wallner in Trinidad to announce the birth of his daughter. Their fifth child, a son, was born in Paterson NJ. (Further information of their five children and descendants is "private".)
The family home was located at 79 Dora Avenue in Waldwick NJ, where Helen resided for 28 years.
She was employed by Midland Park Lumber in Midland Park, NJ for ten years, as a secretary.
In 1965 Albert and Helen, along with their eldest son, his wife at that time, and her mother, made a trip to Italy and then Germany. In Rome they were granted an audience with Pope Paul IV on 8 September 1965.
Article from Ridgewood News (NJ) 28 January 1971:
COUPLE MARKS ANNIVERSARY
WALDWICK - Mr. and Mrs. Albert Joseph Wallner of 79 Dora Ave. celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary Thursday. They were married in Saint Matthias R.C. Church in Ridgewood New York. Mr. Wallner is retired from the Bendix Corp, in Teterboro. They are both members of the Golden Age Club. Mr. and Mrs. Wallner are the parents of five children... They have 14 grandchildren.
Among Helen's collection is a card of congratulations on this 40th anniversary event from the President and Mrs. Richard M. Nixon.
After her husband's death in 1972, Helen resided in Lincoln Park NJ for 4 years, then with her eldest daughter in Pequannock NJ for a short time before her death.
Obituary from the Herald News 13 January 1977:
MRS. ALBERT WALLNER, 73
Pequannock - Services will be held Friday for Mrs. Helen E. Wallner, 73, who died Tuesday in Chilton Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Wallner was born in New York City and lived in Waldwick and Lincoln Park prior to moving to Pequannock six months ago. She was a secretary for Midland Park Lumber Co. Midland Park for 10 years before retiring. She was a parishioner of Holy Spirit R.C. Church and its Senior Citizen's Club. Her husband Albert died in 1972. She is survived by two sons..... three daughters... a brother George Schaefer of Baldwin L.I.; and 18 grandchildren. The funeral will be at 9 a.m. from the Vander-May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home with a Mass of the Resurrection at Holy Spirit Church at 9:30.
Information from the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home states that Helen's obituary appeared in the Ridgewood News Trends, and the Paterson News, along with the Herald News.
Helen Barbara Catherine (Schaefer) Wallner, (Helen E. Wallner) is buried at Maryrest Cemetery, 25 Seminary Avenue, Mahwah, NJ with her husband Albert J. Wallner.
A More Personal Note:
In October 1965 Albert and Helen Wallner, after their trip to Italy, then traveled to Germany. Among the towns they visited on the trip was Pastetten (the birthplace of Albert's father Josef Wallner) in Bavaria, and Bundenthal in the Rhineland Pfalz (birthplace of Helen's grandmother, Barbara (Hoffelder) Koehler). Perhaps it was because her parents died when she was so young that proved to be her motivation for seeking the past. Whatever the reason, it is evident that this trip began Helen's own search for her "roots", as she then began gathering the bits and pieces of information so vital to any genealogical undertaking.
The photographs, family documents, and the notes compiled by Helen on her childhood, along with her correspondence with several branches of her family, and collected memorabilia, have been instrumental to the successful continued research and compliation of not only the Schaefer family history, but the Wallner, Koehler, and Hoffelder branches of the family as well. These records, photographs and treasured memories of Helen's, so lovingly and carefully collected, are a truly priceless gift for which her family is eternally grateful.
Return to Helen Barbara Catherine Schaefer in the Descendants of Georg Schaefer
