Obit: Frinack, Helen Caroline (1930 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Frinack, Kosnowicz, Koltis, Fox, Rodriguez, Christie, Sather, Bogue, Abramczak, Smiderski, Lewerenz, Buntin, Meuret

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) 4/25/2012

Frinack, Helen Caroline (27 November 1930 - 21 April 2012)

Helen C. Frinack, age 81, of Thorp, passed away on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Oakbrook Health & Rehab in Thorp with the love and support of her family.  Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp.  Rev. Don Meuret officiated and burial followed at Riverside Cemetery at Withee. 

Pallbearers were her grandchildren: Jason Frinack, Bobbi Jo Buntin, Andrew Rodriguez, Damian Christie, Brandon Sather, and Alexander Frinack.  Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Helen Caroline Koltis was born on November 27, 1930, in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, to Anton and Josephine (Kosnowicz) Koltis.  She attended the Sterling rural grade school and graduated from Thorp High School in 1949.  She was united in marriage to Charles Frinack on May 26, 1953, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp.  Helen was a hardworking and dedicated farm wife, always along her husband’s side for over 58 years.  There was nothing that she wasn’t willing to help with.  Along with farming, she prepared amazing meals for her family.  Her greatest accomplishment was raising her family with good values and morals. She cherished each and every one of them.  Helen always had time for her children and started holiday traditions that are still looked forward to and carried out today.  Her countless Christmas cookies, candies and popcorn balls would always bring a smile to those who enjoyed them - especially her husband.

Helen retired from farming on the family farm in the Town of Worden in 1995.  She then had time to enjoy her interests, which included needlepoint, crocheting, reading books, putting puzzles together, solving word search puzzles and tending her garden and flowerbeds. The sound of a flock of geese flying overhead, the sight of a cardinal in a tree and the first snow were the simple pleasures that brought a smile to her face.

She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and attended countless school activities, sporting events, Boy Scout functions, and horse and rabbit shows. It didn’t matter what the weather was, ‘grandma’ could be found in the stands cheering and supporting her grandchildren. Visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were highlights of her day.  There wasn’t a birthday party that took place without grandma’s smiling face.  Helen was also a loyal Packer fan and always looked forward to watching the games, especially with her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its PCCW.

Helen is survived by her husband, Charles Frinack of Thorp; six children: Pat (Ginny) Frinack of Thorp, Kathy (Mike) Fox of Braman, OK, JoAnn Rodriguez of Fond du Lac, Janice (Scott) Christie of Cadott, Diane (Jeff) Sather of Thorp, and Jeff (Barbara) Frinack of Deer Park; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers: Walter Koltis, and Joseph Koltis both of Thorp, and Jerry Koltis of Chicago, IL; four sisters: Leocadia Bogue, Adella Abramczak, and Harriet Smiderski, all of Chicago, IL and Sister Kathleen Koltis of Stevens Point; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son-in-law, Daniel Rodriguez; five brothers: Adolph, Edward, Ben, Frank, and Ted Koltis; and one sister: Genevieve Lewerenz.

Though Helen will be missed every minute of every day, heaven’s gates opened to a true angel who practiced lob and goodness on earth.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral home assisted the family with arrangements.