Obituary of Helen Schaller

Helen Mary Mrofchak Schaller, formerly of La Salle, Michigan, was born in a one room cabin in Moquah, Wisconsin on March 28, 1924. She was a first generation American, the daughter of the late Stephen and Anna Mrofchak, immigrants from Slovakia. Helen graduated as Salutatorian from Lapeer High School and after earning a teaching certificate, went on to teach K-12 in a one-room schoolhouse in the Lapeer area for several years. Helen was known as 'The Polka Queen" around Lapeer/Flint/Davison areas and this is how she put herself through school. Music was extremely important and Helen recorded a few records with her band, on which she played accordion. Helen married Harold C. Schaller on January 22, 1949 in Lapeer. They would have eight children. Helen was very active in both Girl and Boy Scouts, receiving high awards for floats she designed and created. Starting in 1968, they operated La Salle Cabins for several years. She was a member of St. Michael Altar Society. Being a prolific writer, public speaker and educator, Helen won several literary awards for her poetry and published five books of poetry, all after she had become partially paralyzed in 1974. She was a devout Catholic who did not let the challenges of life get her down. She believed God had definite purposes for her life which were her children, praying for others and writing. She and Harold traveled all over the United States and Canada. After Harold's passing in 2011, Helen moved to Denver to live with her daughter, Theresa and son-in-law, Michael. Helen Schaller, age 90, of Denver, Colorado passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. In addition to her husband, Harold, Helen was preceded in death by her mother, Anna, her brothers John, Albert and Frank and her sister, Anne. To cherish her memory she leaves her children: Mari A. (William) Broman of Michigan, John (Debbie) of Seymour, TN, Jan (Mark) Ryder of Monroe, Carol "Sue" Coolman of Inverness, FL, Kathryn Schaller of Sequim, WA, Tom (Theresa) of Jacksonville, FL, Theresa (Michael) Hodgkin of Denver, CO, and Lisa (Kevin) Sindall of Parker, CO; fifteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Joe Wilson and nephew, Dan Wilson, both of Lapeer, MI. She will lie in state from 9:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00am, Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 502 West Front Street. Father Steven Vileo pastor of the church will officiate. Procession will follow to La Salle Township Cemetery for inurnment. Memorials for those who desire are suggested to the Schaller Family.