Helen Marie (Opalek) Bancuk's Obituary
Helen Marie (Opalek) Bancuk, age 101, was born in Muskegon Heights, MI on January 8, 1924 to Joseph & Anna (Beer) Opalek. She married the love of her life, Edward J. Bancuk, on November 23, 1944 (Thanksgiving Day) in Muskegon Heights. They met at the Fruitport Pavilion where they would dance the night away while listening to Big Bands from Chicago. They also square-danced, Country Line-danced and their favorite Polka-danced all around the state of Michigan. They loved and enjoyed going to Party in the Park at Hackley Park where they have a bench placed in their honor.
Helen graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1942. She was on the yearbook committee for 3 years and played basketball her freshman year.
She worked at Teledyne-Continental Motors for 5 years as an Air Force inspector on parts for the Craft Wright Whitney engines. While working at Continental she took flying lessons at Muskegon Airport with a group of ladies from work. She knew how to fly an airplane before she could drive a car. She retired after 25 years with Muskegon Heights Public School system.
She was a devout Catholic and member of the St. Margaret Mary Church, Allendale, MI. She was also a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society, Tatra Hall and First Lady Slovak Association.
She loved coloring pictures for friends and family, crafts, making Valentines for the veterans, gardening, watching the birds at the bird feeder especially cardinals, going to fish fries around the Muskegon area, Muskegon Polish Festival, listening to Polka Melodies on Saturday & Sunday mornings and traveling. You would find her cheering on her son’s football games at Muskegon Catholic Central ringing her cow bell. She enjoyed going to the grandkids, and great grandkids sporting events while traveling in Michigan, Maine, Oregon and Wisconsin.
Left to cherish her memory are her 10 children, Edward (Nana) Bancuk of Greece, Monica Basch of Grand Haven, MI, Jerome (Dawn) Bancuk of Muskegon, MI, Thomas (Nancy) Bancuk of Wausau, WI, Joel Bancuk of Grandville, MI, Paula (John) Sibley of Middleton, WI, Paulette (Roger) Kluge of Niles, MI, Mark Bancuk of Grand Haven, MI, Timothy (Margaret) Bancuk of Grand Rapids, MI, Teresa (Hal) Landers of Windham, ME, 18 Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren and 6 Great Great-Grandchildren, and Sister, JoAnn Harris, Portage, MI.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward J. Bancuk of 72 years, parents Joseph & Anna Opalek, brothers, Vincent, Joseph (Angie), Robert, Edward, Aloyse (Al), Donald Opalek, sister, Julia (Joseph) Jasnek and son-in-law Lester Basch.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love from Ambor and DeDee of Gentiva/Hospice, and her new loyal friend Melba of Golden Rule Elder Care.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 AM Saturday, February 1, 2025 at Saint Margaret Mary Church, 11358 Brown Street, Allendale, MI 49401, with Rev. Patrick Crane officiating. Visitation will be held 4-7 PM Friday, January 31, 2025 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. The Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 PM Friday. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Muskegon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Margaret Mary Church, Allendale, MI, the Muskegon Polish Festival, Polka Melodies of Muskegon, MI or Masses to be said for Helen at Saint Margaret Mary Church. Sign the online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
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