Helen K. Pachmayer

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Helen K. Pachmayer, 99, of Muskegon, formerly of Ironwood, passed away at the Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence in Muskegon on Saturday, June 9, 2018.

The former Helen Matejovich was born April 11, 1919, in Chicago, Ill., daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Kassa) Matejovich. She attended Ironwood schools through the sixth grade and returned to Chicago to work as a nanny to help support her family.

On Oct. 30, 1940, Helen was married to Charles D. "Charlie" Pachmayer, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood by the late Rev. Carl Petranek. Charles preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 2003.

Helen was employed by the Red Owl grocery store in Ironwood. She worked as a meat cutter and then a cashier for many years.

Helen was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, and a former member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She sang in the Resurrection Choir, was a member of the altar society and helped with funeral luncheons.

She was also a member of the Ladies Jednota Lodge. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, ceramics, plastic canvas crafts, playing cards, and cooking for the family at home and at their cottage on Island Lake and then Crystal Lake. She loved to watch the birds on her bird feeder. She also had a "green" thumb and loved gardening, Helen especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are a son, David (Vicki) Arvada, Colo .; six daughters, Barbara (Michael) Majetich, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Kathy (Daniel) Brock, Dryden, Sister Ellen Pachmayer OSF, Tucson, Ariz., Helen Kay (Dennis, dec.) Magadanz, Marquette, Mary Pachmayer-Quinlan, Portage, and Christine (Kelly) Andryscik, Muskegon; 19 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her sisters, Mary (Tao, dec.) Nicolino, San Bernardino, Calif., and Jayne (Gene, dec.) Mohr, Colorado Springs, Colo. brother-in-law John (Goldie, dec.) Pachmayer, Wakefield, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by two grandsons, Todd Michael Majetich in 1965, and Todd Michael Magadanz, in 2001; three brothers, Donald Andrew Matejovich, in 1934, and John and Joseph Matejovich; and two sisters, Mildred Roeber, and Ann Basso.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Michael Jacobus celebrant.

Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church from 10 a.m. until Mass time at 11 a.m.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the service.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Peace Adopt A Student program, or to Harbor Hospice Foundation, Muskegon, Michigan.

McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood, is assisting the family with the arrangements.

For more information or to give online condolences, please visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.