Petsche, Helen R. (1920 – 2013)
PETSCHE, WINGERT, SCHMITZ, MUSCHITZ, SCHNEIDER, SCHWERY, LANGENFELD, SCOTT, COENEN, SIEBERT
Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/24/2013 at 14:08:23
Helen Rose (Muschitz) Petsche was born on September 19, 1919, to Michael and Katherine (Schneider) Musich in rural Harlan, Iowa. Helen was the seventh of eleven children. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia and attended St. Boniface School.
On September 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Lawrence Petsche at St. Boniface, and they became parents to six children: Mary, Sandra, Joan, Sally, Lanny and Allen.
The couple lived with Lawrence’s parents on their farm near Irwin, Iowa, for six months before moving, first to a farm in Harrison County then to a farm near Portsmouth. They settled near Westphalia where they farmed for fifty-seven years. Helen spent her time raising the children and helping her husband on the farm.
Helen was an avid baker, and she tended a garden and canned fruits and vegetables every year. She could make bread and cinnamon rolls in a wood burning oven without measuring the ingredients. After her children left home, one of her greatest pleasures was baking for others. The divinity and fudge that she made at Christmas will live on in the recipe boxes of her children and grandchildren. Helen was skillful at embroidery and crocheting. She made much of her children’s clothing and created dozens of quilts, blankets, samplers, pillowcases, and many other items. Helen’s talents were a benefit to her parish community through her work with the Rosary Society.
Helen died at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of seventy-one years; her infant daughter, Mary; her grandson, David Wingert; and brothers and sisters, Priscilla Schwery, Ray, Lavern, Marie Langenfeld, Hilda Scott, Michael, Irene Coenen, Urban, Earl, and Alice Siebert.
She is survived by her children, Sandy and her husband Bill Wingert of Harlan, Joan and her husband Marvin Schmitz of Harlan, Sally and her husband Bob Wingert of Red Oak, Lanny Petsche and his wife Vicki of Harlan, and Allen Petsche and his wife Sandi of Harlan; fifteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; other family members and friends.
The 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Msgr. Robert Chamberlain and concelebrated by Rev. John Frost and Rev. Daniel Petsche OSB on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. John Rosman accompanied Maryalyce Dotzler and Jan Rau. Serving as casket bearers were Steve Schmitz, Mark Wingert, Dale Wingert, Brian Schmitz, Chad Wingert, Eric Wingert, Nick Schmitz, and John Petsche. Interment was held at the Harlan Cemetery.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
Posted by permission
Shelby Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen