Montfort - Our heavenly Father, received Helen Joan (Meili) Straka, 79, into his arms on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Upland Hills Health and Rehab surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born on December 12, 1933 to Dwight and Cecelia (Ley) Meili in Dodgeville, Wisconsin .
Helen married Leo Straka on September 8, 1956. They farmed and raised their nine children outside of Montfort, Wisconsin. Leo preceded her in death on November 3, 2004.
Helen loved to go fishing, being outside in her yard taking care of her flowers, plants and feeding the birds and squirrels. She was always baking and making sure there were sweets in the house for any of her children or friends that may stop by for a visit. However, her biggest joy in life, were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her nine children: Bernie, Montfort; Kathy, Montfort; Anne (Tom) Brickl, Sauk City; Steve, Lancaster; Donald “Stretch” (Beth), Dodgeville; John (Mary), Sun Prairie; Leo Jr. (Vickie), Livingston; Mary Jo (Tim) Lawson, Lake Mills; and Paula (Dan) Ekleberry, Muscoda. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Sisters, Beth (Vince) Brunker, Evelyn (David) Arnold, brother, Jim (Tama) Meili, brother-in-law, Robert (Yvonne) Straka; sister-in-laws Bernadine Cook, Dorothy Ausse, Betty (Tom) Dolan, Delores (Gene) Brennan and Beatrice Palzkill along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; parents, Dwight & Cecelia Meili; parents-in-law, John & Julia Straka; brother, John Meili; brothers-in-law Roscoe Cook, LeRoy Ausse and Tom Palzkill; nieces Mary Kay Brunker and Lori Arnold and great-granddaughter, Diamond Torres.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday morning April 24, 2013 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Montfort, WI with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Father Ken Frisch will be officiating. A Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening April 23, 2013 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort. Online condolences may be made at www.larsonfuneralhomes.com
Helen’s family would like to give a special thanks to Upland Hills Health and Rehab for the loving care that was given to Mom over the past three and a half years. The family cannot express our appreciation and thanks for the wonderful feelings of comfort and love you have shown Mom. We would also like to thank Hospice for their additional care and support.
Mom, we will miss you, your infectious smile and sense of humor every day. But we know that the love you have instilled in your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry us through our lives until we meet You and Daddy in heaven.