Helen Voracek

Helen Voracek March 27, 1924 - March 11, 2011

Helen M. Voracek, age 86, of Faribault, died Friday, March 11, 2011 at St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick in Shieldsville, 7525 Dodd Road, Faribault, MN. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Lonsdale. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to services. Helen Marie Skluzacek, the daughter of Joseph J. and Anna (Schoenbauer) Skluzacek, was born on March 27, 1924 at her family''s home in Wheatland Township, Rice County, MN. Helen graduated from Lonsdale High School. On November 27, 1944 she was united in marriage to George W. Voracek at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lonsdale. George preceded her in death in 2009. Helen and George were lifelong farmers in Forest Township. Helen also worked during that time as a cook at Bethlehem Academy High School and at MSAB. She was a member of many organizations over her lifetime including, the Council of Catholic Women, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, was a religious education instructor, a member of Home Extension, a 4-H Leader, a member of the prayer chain at the Church of St. Patrick and was a member of the Montgomery Czech Singers. Helen was also honored by the Faribault Daily News as an Unsung Hero. She is survived by seven children, George (Eileen) Voracek of Faribault, Jan (Steve) Gillen of Faribault, Mary Mensing and fiance Jim Friedrichs of Mankato, MN, Joan (Lenny) Smisek of Lonsdale, Grace Voracek of Faribault, Randy (Robin) Voracek of Faribault and Donna Mae (Ron) Kadrlik of Faribault; by 19 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; by four siblings, Joseph L. Skluzacek of Lonsdale, Edith (Gene) Connelly of Savage, MN Mary (Leo) Scheffler of Henderson, MN and Gilbert (Elsie) Skluzacek of Lonsdale and special friend of the family Linda Reed of Faribault. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter, Dawn Kuchinka, grandson, Jonathon Voracek, great grandsons, Benjamin Voracek and Mitchell Bloomquist, sister, Claire Nicholay and brother in law, Syl Nicholay.