Helen M. Spotanski

Helen M. Spotanski, 95, of Boelus, died Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at St. Francis Skilled Care in Grand Island. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rockville. The Rev. Marty Egging will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Rockville. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church with a 6 p.m. vigil service. Peters Funeral Home of Loup City is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Spotanski was born on Dec. 29, 1917, at Ashton, the daughter of August and Elizabeth (Wardyn) Karslon. She was united in marriage to Stanley A. Spotanski on May 14, 1935, in Ashton. He preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 1982. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Geri and Norman Wissing of St. Libory and Norma and Paul Janulewicz of Boelus; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Pat Spotanski of Boelus and Gary and Paula Spotanski of Grand Island; and one sister, Betty Peters of Oaks, North Dakota. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Helen grew up in Ashton, where she attended St. Francis parochial school. After completing her education she worked for area housewives, helping take care of their children and doing housework. After her marriage to Stanley, the couple first lived in Ashton, later moving to several farms in the Loup City and Rockville areas. Over the years Helen worked for Fairmont Foods in Loup City, Cornhusker Army Ammunitions Plant and Leon Plastics, both in Grand Island. In 1969, the couple moved to Boelus. She then cooked and made salads for local Boelus and Rockville restaurants for many years. After Stanley's death she continued to live in Boelus, until Dec. 2009, when she moved to St. Francis Skilled Care, where she lived the rest of her life. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and its Council of Catholic Women. Helen enjoyed embroidery, quilting, cooking, canning and casino trips and she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. In addition to her husband, Stanley, she was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Robert Wissing; two sisters, Theresa Borowski and Evelyn Karslon; and two brothers, Richard and Pete Karslon. Memorials are suggested to the Boelus EMT's and Fire Department or to the Family's Choice.