Helen Josephine Winski, of Antigo, died Saturday, May 21, 2011 at home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice, thus ending her battle with cancer. She was born on February 7, 1926 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada a daughter of Aloysius and Louise Geurtsen. The family moved to Milwaukee where Helen grew up and graduated from Holy Angels Catholic Girls High School. She married Casimir on August 28, 1948. He preceded her in death on January 4, 2003.

In addition to raising a family she worked many jobs, retiring from Sentry Foods, Milwaukee in 1979. She and "Cas" enjoyed 24 years of retirement splitting their time between Florida and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In 2000 they moved to Antigo.

Mrs. Winski took pride in having a meticulous, well-decorated home, and spent many hours grooming her lawn and making sure it was dandelion free. In her spare time she enjoyed bowling and an occasional trip to one of the area casinos. She lived her life by the mottoes "Where there's a will there's a way" and "You're never too old to learn".

She was a member of the Langlade County Senior Citizens Club and often shared a noon meal with friends at the "Center". She belonged to St. John Catholic Parish, where she was a member of the Altar Society. She volunteered her time at Parish functions including helping to serve funeral dinners.

Survivors include a son, Michael (Mary) Winski, Antigo; a daughter, Toni Lynn Detert, Kenosha; three grandchildren, Derek (Tammy) Winski, Kristy (Eddie) Altoro and Jenna Lynn Berzinski; ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Cahill, Schaumberg, IL; and three sisters-in-law, Phyllis, Josephine and Mary Winski all of the Milwaukee area.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Geurtsen; two sisters, Wilma Geurtsen and Mary Schulz; a son-in-law, Richard Detert; four brothers-in-law, Eddie, Norbert, Walter (Pat)and Anthony Winski; and a sister-in-law, Helen (Russ) Bell.

A memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.

Services