Submitted by: Dan Rich
Feb. 28, 1928 - Jan. 7, 2008
South Bend Tribune 1/10/2008
MISHAWAKA - On Monday, Jan. 7, 2008, at 5:55 p.m., Helen Marie
Heiser, 79, was welcomed into the loving arms of Our Father
after a long battle with cancer. Helen was born Feb. 28, 1928, in
Mishawaka, to loving parents Otto and Alta "Tiny" Kuhn,
who preceded her in death.
On May 3, 1947, she married her high school
sweetheart, William Anthony Heiser Jr. They enjoyed 55 years of
life together until his death in 2002. Helen and Bill lived their
entire lives in Mishawaka until permanently retiring to Punta
Gorda, Florida, in 1995, where many beautiful friendships
developed. Helen came home to be around those who loved her near
the end of her life. Left to cherish her loving memories are two
daughters, Barbara A. (Kenneth) Botka and Susan M.
(Anthony) Escher, all of Mishawaka; two sons, Jerry M.
(Jane) Heiser of Valparaiso, IN, and Lawrence J. (Mary) Heiser of
Auburndale, Florida; the grandchildren who brought joy to Helen
are Jennifer, Shelly and Sarah Botka, Cassandra (Nicholas) Schlutt,
Kristin (Jaime) Layne, and Caryn, Korinne and Carissa
Escher, Rebecca (Mike) Lang, Rachel Heiser, Amy and
Mark Heiser; great-grandchildren who made her eyes light up
whenever she saw them include Hannah, Alyssa, Rylie, Emily and
Joshua.
Helen was employed at various positions
throughout her lifetime. She worked as a receptionist for Dr.
Brown in Mishawaka until his retirement and then worked as a
bookkeeper at Ketchan Bros. & Kennedy Insurance in South Bend
until her retirement. Helen was a 1945 graduate of Mishawaka High
School and was a member of the Alumni Association. She was member
of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka and Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Punta Gorda. Traveling and crafts enriched her
time during retirement. She had recently learned how to crochet
to make baby blankets for the Ronald McDonald House in Florida.
Friends may spend time with Helen's family
today (Thursday) from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Thallemer, Goethals
& Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third Street, Mishawaka, where
the Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial
will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic
Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher
officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery,
Mishawaka. Memorials may to be made to the American Cancer
Society or to the charity of one's choice. Assistance with
memorials is available at the funeral home.