Helen Marie Zalas

Helen Zalas, a resident of Oshkosh for 41 years, passed away on April 23, 2013 in the company of her husband, Ben, and children, Kathy, Eric, Peggy, Terry, Cindy and Judy. She was born on January 27, 1925 in South Bend, IN the oldest child of Fred and Marie Sygler.Helen worked at the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend, IN as a stenographer.Helen married Benjamin J. Zalas on August 23, 1947 in South Bend, IN. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past year! Together they had seven children, thirty-three grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren.Helen went with her husband to Muncie, IN while he attended Ball State University following World War II. They became friends with their landlords, Bill and Theodale Weser. Theodale has remained a faithful friend these past sixty+ years!Helen was devoted to raising her six children. She was the best mother and made each of her children feel deeply loved. Helen searched for and found salvation in Jesus Christ. She was a mirror of her Savior to all around her generously giving praise and encouragement, advice and service in many ways. Helen was active in her church ministries and was always helping others. She would often sense others pain and give hugs and words of encouragement. She always looked for the best in others. She was determined to make the best of any difficult situation.Helen loved to garden flowers, fruits, or vegetables she enjoyed watching and encouraging things to grow.Helen was an avid reader, a bright, intelligent woman. She enjoyed literature and poetry, music; she was a professional cross word puzzle solver, and champion Scrabble player! Helen played the accordion as a young lady and transferred that ability to the organ. She loved to sing hymns and listen to the Christian radio station and messages by Chuck Swindoll.Helen was an excellent cook and baker, just like her mother. There was no holiday meal spread like Moms! She was also an excellent seamstress, sewing many dresses, costumes and outfits for her children and others.Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Benjamin; her children, Kathy (David) Soderquist of Hobart, IN, Eric Zalas of Carmel, IN, Peggy (Dan Polomchak) Pavese of Portage, IN, Terry (Connie) Zalas of Fremont, WI, Cindy (Brian) Dearing of Mequon, WI, Judy (Steve) Frey of Oshkosh, WI.Helen was preceded in death by her brother, John Sygler; parents, Fred and Marie Sygler, infant son, William Patrick; grandson, Jonathon James Zalas; and daughter-in-law, Jacquelyn Harvey.Helen began suffering the effects of dementia in 2001. It and macular degeneration robbed her of her joys in life family, friends, reading, watching television, and solving puzzles. As her ability to care for herself decreased, her husband determined to care for her at home. When that was too difficult for him to continue, their daughters came to live with them and care for their needs until her death.Mom, we love you for the example you have given in putting others first and trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.Thank you, God, for giving us a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Marys Catholic Church (233 E. Scott St. Omro) with Rev. Doug LeCaptain and Sister Pam Biehl officiating. Family and friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Park on Monday.

St. Mary's Catholic Church



233 E. Scott St.
Omro
WI
54963

00:00.0
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.



Lake View Memorial Park



2786 Algoma Bvld.
Oshkosh
WI
54901






St. Mary's Catholic Church



233 E. Scott St
Omro
WI
54963

00:00.0
11:00 a.m.