Racine – Helen Evelyn (nee: Barry) Bednar, age 91, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at The Villa at Lincoln Park on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Helen was born in Racine on March 21, 1924 to the late Frank and Rose Marie (nee: Lavatore) Barry. She graduated from William Horlick High School in 1941. On November 27, 1947 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Norman F. Bednar, who preceded her in death on June 18, 1993.

Helen was a member of St. Lucy Catholic Church and, formerly, of Holy Name Catholic Church. She was a devoted wife and mother.  Among her interests, she enjoyed cooking, baking, traveling (throughout the United States & Europe) and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan.  Above all, Helen loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are her children, Barbara Ann Bednar, Randall (Georgia) Bednar and Julie Ann (fiancé, Harry Ludkowski) Rasmussen; grandchildren, Christopher (Kristie) Stern, Andrea Stern, Erica (Nathan) Grunst, Rebecca (David) Thompson, Anthony Bednar, Lenora (Adam) Herrera, Alexander & Sarah Rasmussen; great-grandchildren, Henley & Daxton Grunst; Finnigan Palenik; and one more due in March 2016; sisters-in-law, Elaine Barry, Lorraine Stachow and Patricia Bednar; brother-in-law, Richard (Jean) Bednar; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by her sisters, Anna Pellegrino, Christine (Bill) Murray, Janet (Niels) Nielsen and Florence (Norman) Bartz; brothers, Jack (Peg), Frank (Hattie), Stanley (Lana), Louis, Alex (Fay) and Peter Barry; brothers-in-law, Felix Stachow, Roger Bednar and Frank (Marlene) Bednar.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 10:30 am at Saint Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery – Kinzie Avenue.  Visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and at church on Saturday from 9:30 – 10:30 am.