Submitted by: Dan Rich

Helen H. Niezgodski

March 9, 1913 - Sept. 15, 2007

South Bend Tribune 9/18/2007

SOUTH BEND - Helen H. Niezgodski, 94, of South Bend, joined her beloved husband, soul mate and dance partner, Ted, in heaven on Saturday afternoon, September 15, 2007, after passing away from natural causes in her home. Mrs. Niezgodski was born on March 9, 1913, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to the late Bartholomew and Louise Sudol. She had lived most of her life in South Bend.

On June 5, 1937, in South Bend, Helen married Theodore J. "Ted" Niezgodski, who preceded her in death on November 3, 1985. Her son-in-law, Thomas M. "Mac" McMahon, preceded her in death on September 2, 2007. Also passing before her was an infant granddaughter, Lisa Ann McMahon. Helen was the last surviving member of her seven brothers and sisters. Five sisters, Julia Bland Darnell, Mary DeFauw, Charlotte Bolka Probst, Winifred Poznan Kaczmarek and Josephine Sudol, and two brothers, Stanley Nowak and an infant brother, have all passed away. Mrs. Niezgodski is survived by two daughters, Joan M. McMahon of South Bend and Shirley Niezgodski of Lexington, KY; four grandchildren, Kathy (Shane) Martens of South Bend, Kelly (Dan) Meehan of South Bend, Scott (Dianna Westphal) McMahon of South Bend and Cary (Melissa Keller) McMahon of Cincinnati, OH; 11 great-grandchildren, Brianna, Brittany, Brandon and Bryce Martens, Taylor and Kaitlyn Meehan, Thomas McMahon, Michael, Kevin, Megan and Timothy McMahon; and five extended great-grandchildren, Robert and Andrew Keller, and Stephanie, Taylor and Jordyn Westphal. Mrs. Niezgodski was employed as a dental assistant with the former Rose, Rose, and Rose. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She attended St. Augustine Academy in Fort Wayne and was a member of St. Matthew's Cathedral. Mrs. Niezgodski had a passion for dancing with her hubby, Teddy. She enjoyed watching sporting events on television and supported her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all of their endeavors. She touched many lives in her 94 years and never knew a stranger. Most importantly, Mrs. Niezgodski was devoted to God and the Blessed Virgin. Her family called her "The Prayer Master." She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, in St. Matthew's Cathedral, 1701 Miami Street, South Bend. Rev. Michael Heintz will officiate. Entombment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. today in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, where a Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m.