Helene Weisensel

HELENE WEISENSEL Racine- Mrs. Helene Weisensel (nee: Jaje), 78, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded with the love of her family, on Monday, December 26, 2005 following a brave battle with cancer. Helene was born in Gumniska Folks, Poland on May 6, 1927 to the late Michel and Caroline (nee: May) Jaje. On February 16, 1946 in Bouligny, France, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Verian “Vern” L. Weisensel, who was serving with the United States Army in WWII. Verian died on May 1, 1993. Following his discharge from service, they moved to Columbus, WI from 1947-1955. Next, they made Madison, WI their home from 1955-1962. Finally, they became permanent residents of Racine in 1962. As a member of the ISE 10 Year Club, Helene was employed at In-Sink-Erator for over 19 years until her retirement in 1989. Helene was a devoted and valued member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. Active in so many ways at the church, she was a member of the parish council, the altar society, and along with her daughter, Delores, chaired the human concerns committee, raised thousands of dollars annually at the bakery during the summer festivals, just to name a few. Organizing and shopping for the food pantry at church on a daily basis, she not only helped and supported needy families at St. Lucy but throughout the entire Racine community. It was through her ministry as human concerns chairperson that she visited, brightened the lives, and touched the hearts of thousands of ill and elderly. Helene was also active with the Catholic Women’s Club, the Senior Companion program at Siena Center, Skill Bank and Friends of Seniors. Even throughout her battle with cancer, she continued placing the needs of others before her own. May Helene now rest in peace. Surviving are her sons, Denis (Sue) Weisensel of Sturtevant; Keneth (Cathy) Weisensel of Racine; and David (Rebecca) Weisensel of Salisbury, NC; daughters, Jeanine (Steve) McGrath, Delores Anderson, both of Racine; and Sally (Donald) Witte of Hubertus; 16 cherished grandchildren; 18 adored great-grandchildren; sister, Antoinette Karvan of Bouligny, France; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Anna Jaje, Ermize Jaje, Paul Gyongyosi, Dorothy Tennie, Ruth Hanson, Joe (Trixie) Weisensel Jr., Helen Schwoerer, Stella Weisensel, Gladys (Loren) Olson, and Vincent Schneider; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, too numerous to mention by name. In addition to her parents and husband, Helene was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ralph Anderson; sister, Marie Gyongyosi; brothers, Albert, Henry and Stanis Jaje; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Stanis Karvan, Leo Tennie, Maurice Hanson, Larry Schwoerer, Sylvester Weisensel, Cecil (Bill) Berg, Irene (Fred) Moy, Myrtle Schneider and LeRoy Weisensel. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Helene’s beloved St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 10:30 am with Rev. Mark R. Jones, Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen and Rev. Cletus V. Uhen officiating. Interment will follow next to her husband, Verian, in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Visitation will be held in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Thursday from 5-7 pm (with prayer vigil being offered at 7 pm) and in the church on Friday from 9:30-10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the St. Lucy Endowment Fund are encouraged. A heartfelt note of thanks to Dr. Michael P. Mullane, Dr. Mark E. DeCheck and Hospice Alliance, and all their staffs; and, above all, to our family and friends, for the tremendous amount of thoughts, prayers and support that was so warmly extended to Helene and to our family. God bless each and everyone of you!