Helen Jean Welbes' Obituary
On November 30, Helen Jean Welbes, 92, died peacefully at home. In our sorrow, we take comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven with her Savior. All who have gone before her are welcoming her with great joy!
Helen was born in Ludington, MI on April 28, 1915 to Joanna and Walter Kloss. The eldest of five children, she was a great help in raising her siblings. In June 1934, she married Ambrose Welbes. Together they raised 5 children. In 1941, they moved to Muskegon. She was a wonderful mother who instilled a true sense of family upon us. Mom was proud of her Polish heritage and enjoyed sharing it with her family and friends. In the 1970’s, she enjoyed being involved in teaching Polka lessons with her family. At age 59, Mom became a widow with 3 children still at home. She managed to hold us all together through this tough time.
Mom worked at Muskegon Catholic Central Credit Union retiring in 1979. All the kids loved to stop and see her during their school days. Being “Grandma” and “Great-Grandma” gave her such joy. She loved to sing Polish lullabies to her “Babies!” As we grew and had our own families, Mom was always there for us – good times and bad. Gardening was a great source of pride for Mom. She will always be remembered for her beautiful roses, tulips and her porch full of house plants.
Helen was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Michael Parish. She was active in the Rosary-Alter Society and St. Michael’s Circle. She also was a volunteer at Mercy Hospital since 1988 until early this year. Tuesdays found her with friends playing cards at Norton Shores Library.
We will all miss you so much! Thank you for all the love you shared with us.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Ambrose after almost 40 years of marriage; her eldest son, Kenneth, her parents, brother, Floyd (Bummy) Kloss and wife Dorothy and their daughter, Susan; sister, Irene Harmon and husband, Elery and their daughter, Valerie and brother-in-law, Marshall Swanson.
Surviving are her son, Gerry (Sandy), son Marty (Vickie), daughter Carlene (Roger) Horness and son David (Ann) and daughter-in-law Cecilia Welbes. Grandchildren surviving are Kenneth’s children Kevin (Monica), Claudia (Michelle) and Kate (Jim) Carroll, Gerry’s children Rob and Amber; Carlene’s children Shannon, Jason (Wyndi), Eric and Julie and David’s children Michelle (Jeff) Godfrey and Rebecca.
Great grandchildren include Joshua, Naomi, Andrew, Solana, Sophie, Liam, Morgan, Erin, Taylor, Brennan, Lieschen, Hailey and Cason.
Sisters Regina Swanson and Betty (John) Bennett, friend and neighbor, Bev Johnson and many nieces and nephews mourn her passing.
The family would like to convey special thanks to Pam Buit, Tami Beerman and Val Hoffmeyer and the staff of Hackley VNS-Hospice for their wonderful care in helping keep Mom at home in her final months of life. Memorials may be made to Hackley VNS-Hospice or the Arthritis Foundation.
Services will be 11:00 AM Thursday,December 6, 2007 at St. Michaels Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Phil Sliwinski presiding. Visitation with the family will be 6-8 pm Wednesday at
The Walburn Chapel
Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.
1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
231-759-8565
and 1 hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Please sign the family's Online-Guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com
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