Family Log-In

Click Here

Helen Mary Westrich, 96, of Niagara, Wis., passed away peacefully at Maryhill Manor, with family at her side on Saturday, January 17, 2015.

Helen was born on February 13, 1918, in Racine, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Theodore and Louise Simon.

Helen graduated from Horlick High School in Racine. She worked at Johnson Wax where she met Henry Westrich. They fell in love and were married on August 29, 1942, at St. Joseph Church. They raised eleven children at their home on Quincy Avenue in Racine. After Henry retired in the summer of 1973, they moved to Niagara, Wisconsin.

During those busy years of raising eleven children, Helen was involved in St. Edwards Women Auxiliary, was a Girl and Cub Scout leader, was a member of The Alter Sodality and volunteered as needed for any of the children’s activities, which were varied and numerous. In addition to raising a large family, she found time and space in her home to host numerous foreign exchange students.

Upon moving to Niagara, Helen was employed as a mail carrier and an insurance clerk. Her gift of volunteerism continued. She was involved in the Women of St. Anthony’s, Niagara Women’s Club, a Catechism teacher, a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Booster Club. Helen was on the steering committee for building the new Niagara Elementary School as well as building the new Maryhill Manor facility.

Helen loved to sew, knit and crotchet, many of us were the recipient of her handiwork. She was an avid Packers fan, a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers, attended the Pro Bowl in Hawaii in 2006, and exchanged mail with Larry McCarren. Helen loved to travel with family and friends. Her travels brought her to many places including, Greece, Paris, Newfoundland, Eastern coastal states, Florida, Mexico, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, San Francisco, Arizona, and Hawaii, to name a few.

Her pride and joy was her family, which had grown to include over 125 persons. Helen was especially proud of her sons and grandchildren who had served in the armed forces, as did her husband, Henry, during WWII.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Henry; her parents; her two brothers, William and Richard; a sister-in-law Geraldine (William); a son, Michael; a daughter-in-law, Emily Westrich (Mark); a grandson, Theodore Westrich (Mike); all of her many brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws.

She leaves many memories to be cherished by her children: John (Sheila) Westrich of Racine, WI; Anne (Paul) Goplin of Osseo, WI; Philip (Kathy) Westrich of Niagara, WI; Kris(Dennis) Anderson of Niagara, WI; Joseph (Ami) Westrich of Houston, TX; Mark (Laurie) Westrich of Sioux City, Iowa; Maureen ‘Wink’ (Dave) Anderson of Iron Mountain, MI; Matt (Diane) Westrich of Vulcan, MI; Luke (Laura) Westrich of Crivitz, WI; Andy (Janet) Westrich of Hampton, VA; daughter in-law, Barb Westrich of Niagara, WI; sister in-law Beverly Simon (Richard) of Racine, WI; 28 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and a legacy of friends that she cherished during her lifetime.

Pallbearers are her sons: John, Phil, Joe, Mark, Matt, Luke and Andy

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 22, 2015, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain. Prayers will be recited, Friday, January 23, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in Niagara Cemetery, Niagara.

A memorial will be established in her memory.

The family would like to thank the staff of Evergreen Assisted Living and Maryhill Manor for their devotion in caring for mom these past few years.

The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain to honor Helen’s Legacy of Life.

You may light a candle in remembrance of Helen or leave a condolence for her family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com