Helen Dudek

Helen M. Dudek, 99, Wausau, died Sunday, March 1, 2009 at Harmony House.


Helen Marie Johnson was born May 5, 1909 on the property of what is now Christ Lutheran Church to the late Anton and Anna (Erickson) Johnson. She attended school in town and later graduated from Wausau High School and then received her teaching certificate after graduating from Marathon County Normal School. Helen taught for Marathon County schools and later was a bookmobile librarian for more than 20 years for the Marathon County Library. She was married on April 2, 1934 to David Dudek and was happily married for 33 years until his death on August 15, 1967. She is also preceded in death by her only daughter, Mary Kay, son-in-law, Robert West, and her siblings Arnold, Clarence, Evelyn, Marion, Kathryn and Donald.


Helen had a deep sense of faith and family and an appreciation of the life she had growing up on the farm in her large Norwegian family. She had a quick sense of humor and ability to put people at ease. Following her retirement from the library, she moved to Brighton, Michigan to live with her daughter and family. Helen, or "Fuff" and "Greaty" as she was known to so many and enjoyed many years of friendship with special ties to the Kendzior Family, Sue and Jim Rosebrough, Bruce and Marcia Peters and Theresa West. Following the death of her daughter, Helen returned to Wausau to live with her sister Evelyn for nearly 20 years. She truly enjoyed all the celebrations and times she shared with Evelyn's family.


Helen is survived by her grandchildren: Kristi (David) Durette of Nashua, NH, Robyn West O'Reilly of Miami, FL, and Erick West of Monroe, NC; three great grandchildren, Katherine and Emily Durette and Robert O'Reilly; sister-in-law, Florence Johnson of La Mesa, CA; nieces Annette Natal, Carol Plautz and Susan Schindler and their families, nephew Clarence Johnson and his wife Sally and their family and many more extended family.


Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Christ Lutheran Church, Wausau. Pastor David Wetmore will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may directed to the Marathon County Public Library, 300 N. 1st St., Wausau 54403 or Christ Lutheran Church, 1300 Townline Rd., Wausau, 54403.