Submitted by: Dan Rich

Helen Marie Pedtke

Nov. 27, 1915 - Jan. 21, 2005

South Bend Tribune 1/25/2005

Helen Marie Pedtke, 89, died peacefully surrounded by family after a short illness following a stroke.

Devoted wife of the late Daniel H. "Dean" Pedtke; beloved mother of seven: Dorothy, William (Marlie), Mary Beth Wilson (Michael Hayden), Theresa Morris (Peter), the late Catherine, Robert (Charlene Hollars) and Daniel (Mary Lou Bolton); dear grandmother of 19 and great-grandmother of 17 wonderful children.

Helen was born in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Lucille Melinski; she had one older brother, Stanley, who died at the age of 6. She attended high school and two years of college in her hometown before transferring to the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN, where she met her future husband, who was her organ teacher.

After her graduation, they were married at Notre Dame in the fall of 1937, where Daniel taught and directed the Glee Club for 37 years. She lived her last 57 years in the home they built on 14 acres just north of the Notre Dame campus. She loved to travel, and frequently visited her children scattered all over the country, and sometimes overseas. In their early years in South Bend, Helen and her husband were involved in nearly every aspect of music in the South Bend area. Together they provided the music at St. Patrick's parish for many years, and helped with the music at the original Little Flower Church. She directed the men's and boys' choirs at Christ the King parish, and sang for many weddings and funerals over the years. She directed women's choruses, was a strong supporter of the South Bend Symphony and taught private piano lessons in her home. Together they hosted a small group known as the "Crotchets and Quavers," who met at the Pedtke home to play music together, and they both taught music in the early years of the Forever Learning Institute.

Besides her musical efforts, Helen was a member of the American Association of University Women, serving as their youngest president at age 28. She had a special concern for the elderly with no families, often taking them to shop or do errands, eventually completing a certificate program in gerontology at Notre Dame. She volunteered in soup kitchens at St. Augustine's parish and the Center for the Homeless, and was an active member of the Ladies of Notre Dame and the South Bend Circle of Mercy.  Helen served as a second mother to the members of the Notre Dame Glee Club from 1937 to the present, hosting parties and gatherings in her home and traveling occasionally with them, including a trip to Europe where they met with Pope Paul VI. The annual Fall Picnic and "Pedtke Bowl" are still held at the Pedtke home.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, 2005. Rev. William Melody, CSC, will preside and members of the Notre Dame Glee Club will sing. Burial will take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the south end of the campus. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26, or 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 27, at the McGann Funeral Homes, University Area Chapel, 2313 Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46615, (574) 232-1411. The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Pedtke Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Notre Dame Glee Club, Crowley Hall of Music, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5643; or to Covenant House Rights of Passage Corporation, 346 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011.