Born August 22, 1920, to George and Mary (Jurek) Szymczak in Duluth, MN, middle child of 8, raised in the Catholic Faith and a very devoted believer in Edgar Cayce.

Within her 100 plus years on earth she lived and witnessed many historical events. She remembered people talking about the first pandemic comparing it to the Covid-19, the great depression, first man on the moon, actors and actresses, many wars and presidents (she had a strong opinion on who should and should not be the head of our country, will not say which way she leaned toward.) She would often talk about how the weather has changed from season to season as time progressed or comment on historical bad storms, in the most recent years would express how bright the fall colors were compared to the last year.

She loved all colors strongly in many things but red and lavender were her favorites. Helen enjoyed reading the most of all hobbies. Others included bead crafting, sewing, crochet, playing the organ, flower gardening, baking and cake creations, puzzles, word search and sudoku books, shopping, the holidays, a little wine and a good visit.

Helen completed general education through the ninth grade. She had to seek employment to help support her family and never returned to her studies. While working as a housekeeper she met a visitor of an employer, Army Sgt. Casper “Cap” O. Johnson, they were married November 7, 1944. While temporarily stationed in Joplin, MO they welcomed their only child Kathleen on August 4, 1945.

The new family relocated to the state of Oregon for “Caps” army career and in the 1960s moved to Walters, MN opening the Walter’s Cafe and then onto the Matz Fur Farm. In 1986 Cap retired and they relocated to their first purchased property in Webster, WI the move brought them closer to Kathleen and family.

July 8, 2021, Helen was reunited with those who passed before her; parents, George and Mary; siblings, infant brother Patrick (twin to Joe), Joe (Ruth) Szymczak, Florence (Loren) Lavoie, Gertrude (Morrie) Swenson, Loretta (Jimmy) Makowsky, MaryAnn Chevalier, Jerry (Janice) Szymczak; husband, Casper; daughter and son in law, Kathleen (Oliver “Hub”) Andren.

She will be greatly missed by those left to remember her brother/sister in laws, Bob Chevalier and Sherri Szymczak; grandchildren, Christina (Kyle) Werdier and Mark Andren; great grandchildren, Justin (Galina) Werdier, Jordan (Emilie) Werdier, Bryana (Tony) Nowling, Brandon (Diana) Andren; great great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Emma, and Alyena Werdier, Parker and Bennett Nowling, Kayson Andren, and #7 due to arrive in January 2022, special family friends, Kirsten Werdier and Karla Ingalls and many nephews and nieces.

There will be no public service as Helen requested, private internment by family will be at the St. Johns Catholic Cemetery in Webster, WI.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster.

Last Update: Jul 13, 2021 8:38 am CDT