Helene Florence Marek (Shopek)

Helene Florence Marek, age 97, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015 at the Country Terrace in Bloomer. She was born December 9, 1917 in Bloomer to Andrew and Hannah (Brown) Shopek. She attended school in Minneapolis MN and, at age 5, took dance lessons, performing in the “Kiddie Review” on the stage at the Orpheum Theater. At age 11, Helene’s mother passed away and she moved to Bloomer where she lived with Peder and Josephine Dahl. After graduating from Bloomer High School she moved to Minneapolis where she worked at Montgomery Wards in the mail room. On September 14, 1937, she married Vernon Marek at St. Paul Catholic Church in Bloomer. She worked at Mid-Am Dairy, sang in the church choir for many years and was a past officer in the PCCW. On June 4, 1944, she and Lillian Kramschuster formed the Bloomer Women of the Moose, where she held many offices. She enjoyed ice skating, dancing, music, reading and most of all the Green Bay Packers.

She is survived by her children: Beverly (Marcel) Sobotta of Bloomer, Skip Marek of Woodbury MN and Rosie (Ronnie) O’Connell of Eau Claire; grandchildren: David (Kim) Sobotta, Thomas (Pat) Sobotta, Mark (Jennifer) Sobotta, Rochelle (Craig) Holbrook, Becky (Thomas) Pratt, Michael (Angela) Getchell; great-grandchildren: Jamie (Tom) Moos, Brandon and Justin Holbrook; great-great grandson: Austin Moos; Sister-in-law: Marjorie (Pete) Abrahamson.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Andrew and Hannah Shopek; her husband: Vernon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 12:00 PM at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Bloomer. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 8 at Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00 PM.