Helen R. Andrlik

Helen R. Andrlik

February 13, 1928 – October 3, 2020

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Robert, husband, Bob, her two siblings and numerous relative and friends.  She is survived by six of her children: Kay (Jack) Monzingo, Jim (Roxanne) Andrlik, Mary Jo (Bill) Landis, Bob (Kathy) Andrlik, Nancy (John) Morey, and Lisa (Scott) Muschall; 17 grandchildren: Melissa (Joel) Holm, Amy (Christian) Sterling, Kristin (Hadi) Zahra, Maggie (Steve) Winkelmann, Lesley (Jeremy) Clark, Lindsay (Jeff) Hollingsworth, Kara (Jason) Lehnhardt, Rachel Landis, Jacob (Stephanie) Landis, Jennifer (Ryan) McMurrer, Michael Andrlik, Karli Andrlik, Michaela Morey, Colleen (Ben) Strawn, Patrick Morey, Matthew (Keisha) Muschall, and Stephanie (Kory) Lower; 20 great-grandchildren: Kinley, Kaleb and Avery Holm, Keira, Caden and Talia Sterling, Sam Winkelmann, Kennedy, Kellan and Cade Clark, Hudson and Hayden Hollingsworth, Alaina and Lydon Lehnhardt, Henry Landis, Harrison and Madeline McMurrer, Grant and Cecily Strawn, and Gabriel Muschall; great- grandchild Andrlik/May due in December; sister-in-law, Dorothy Brennan; brother-in-law, Tom Doyle; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Sunday, October 11^th from 3pm to 5pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 5pm.  SERVICES: Monday, October 12^th, 9:30am, West Center Chapel to St. Mary Catholic Church (3529 Q St.) for MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 10am Interment, St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church, Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, or Mass offerings at the church of your choice.

If social distancing concerns prevent people from attending, the family will understand.  To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

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Helen, born the third child to Vercia “Agnes” Edwards and Ignatius “Nick” Federle in Omaha, Nebraska, had a brother, Joseph “Eddie”, and a sister, Marie.  Her parents’ home in South Omaha had a vineyard, and her father made wine, which he stored in the basement wine cellar.  From early on she absorbed the family’s pragmatism, the humility of her Catholic faith, and her German American heritage. 

After high school, following in the footsteps of her father who was employed by Swift as a cooper, Helen worked at Swift in the administrative offices and then at Armour & Company on the cutting floor. Years later she worked at Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company in Small Group Claims where she achieved a supervisory level position and was employed for 20 years.

In a photograph of Helen as a young woman, she bore a striking resemblance to a “Pin up girl”!  It was not surprising that she caught the eye of a young Navy man, Robert “Bob” Andrlik when she was a bridesmaid at a wedding that they attended.  Bob was smitten with her gentle ways and beauty.  They were married in a private ceremony on August 21, 1948.  Bob went on to play baseball in the minor leagues for a “farm club” of the Cleveland Indians.  Bob and Helen traveled on the road together during his year-long career.  After baseball, they settled down and began their family, eventually moving into a white-clad bungalow that had been Bob’s family home.  It remained in the Andrlik family for 90 years. 

Bob and Helen had 7 children, 17 grandchildren, and 20 (and counting) great-grandchildren.  Helen was the matriarch of her large brood and their biggest fan and supporter, always eager to help celebrate all of life’s special occasions and small moments together.  Second only to her faith, her family was the most important thing to her. 

Helen was an outstanding cook renowned for her pork roast and sauerkraut and dumplings, stuffed peppers, and cabbage rolls. She embraced both Bob’s Bohemian heritage and her German heritage in her cooking. Her famous oyster dressing and cranberry gelatin salad are family Thanksgiving tradition favorites.  To satisfy her sweet tooth, she also loved to bake, especially brownies and cherry cake.

Helen attended Mass every Sunday and volunteered at funerals and annual fundraisers for her home parish, St. Mary’s.  As Helen’s memory began to fade, she never forgot her faith or her church.

After retirement, Helen learned to quilt; she had always enjoyed craft projects but once she entered the world of quilting, that became her favorite pastime!  Each new baby’s arrival or special birthday or graduation would be met with a quilt.  She made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great-grands.  She loved quilting while watching her favorite soap operas, especially, “The Young and the Restless.” She was an avid bowler in her younger years, had a large collection of snowman figurines, loved watching sports, her favorite being Husker football, and she enjoyed solving crossword puzzles.

Helen is remembered for her kind and gentle spirit.  She was a caring, empathic, and generous person, always concerned about the welfare of others.