Family, Plymouth community mourn loss of elementary school principal [Video]

SHEBOYGAN — It’s been a tough week for the Helmer family as they process the passing of 52-year-old Chris Helmer — a brother, a husband and a father.

He was also the principal at Horizon Elementary School in Plymouth, a job he only held for a year. But he spent more than two decades in Wisconsin school districts, mostly as a special education teacher.

Chris’s family knew that although he loved work, he still made time for them.

“[I’ve been] a little bit autopilot,” his wife Tina said. “I made a promise to him that I wouldn’t disengage, that I would stay active and engaged…and I’m keeping that promise.”

This year marked their 20th wedding anniversary. She and Chris met when they worked at the same school. She’s a school psychologist.

“He’s a very hard worker. He always dedicates 100 percent of himself in anything he does.”

Tina said that’s what drew her to him.

“Throughout his treatment, …