HELEN P. MIKA YIRAK,
97, of Reese, formerly of Cass City, died following a long illness, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in her daughter's home surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 7, 1914 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Nellie (Polczak) Polheber. She married John Mika Sr. June 2, 1934 in Cass City. He died February 9, 1978. She later married Rudolph Yirak October 8, 1991 in Bushnell, FL. He died January 8, 1995.
Helen moved with her family from Chicago to Deford as a young girl. She lived in Deford until her marriage to John. They moved to Detroit until 1944 when they returned to Evergreen Township to raise their family. Helen was a homemaker and Mom but she worked at Summers Bakery and Ben Franklin Store in Cass City for a few years. She moved to Bushnell, FL in 1979 to begin the next chapter of her life. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Bushnell, Fl and served as a Eucharistic Minister there. Helen worked as the manager of the Sumterville Senior Center in Sumterville, FL. She enjoyed all her responsibilities there including helping the Seniors with various projects. Helen loved her flower gardens. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards. Helen was a former member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City and she currently attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Reese.
Helen is survived by her children: Richard (Kathleen) Mika of Luzerne, Lorraine (Charles) Kurtansky of Reese, John (Janice) Mika, Jr. of Decker, Linda (Charles) Anklam of Port St. Lucie, FL, George (Sharon) Mika of Caro, Robert (Romina) Mika of Fircrest, WA; 23 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; 9 step great grandchildren; sister, Jennie Mozdzen of Deford; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Krause of Ann Arbor, Helen Murawski of Detroit; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law: Barbara and Richard Tetil; son, James Mika; granddaughter, Kristi Mika; sisters: Maxine Witkowski and Anna Murawski.
Funeral service held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with Rev. Prentis Tipton of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Reese and Sr. Maria Dina Puddu, MC officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Pallbearers for Mrs. Yirak: Tom Tetil, David Kurtansky, Paul Mika, Greg Mika, Steve Mika and Oliver Mika. Memorials may be made to Sumterville Senior Center, Sumterville, FL or Lutheran Hospice of Hope, Frankenmuth. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 Vigil Service in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
97, of Reese, formerly of Cass City, died following a long illness, Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in her daughter's home surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 7, 1914 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Nellie (Polczak) Polheber. She married John Mika Sr. June 2, 1934 in Cass City. He died February 9, 1978. She later married Rudolph Yirak October 8, 1991 in Bushnell, FL. He died January 8, 1995.
Helen moved with her family from Chicago to Deford as a young girl. She lived in Deford until her marriage to John. They moved to Detroit until 1944 when they returned to Evergreen Township to raise their family. Helen was a homemaker and Mom but she worked at Summers Bakery and Ben Franklin Store in Cass City for a few years. She moved to Bushnell, FL in 1979 to begin the next chapter of her life. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Bushnell, Fl and served as a Eucharistic Minister there. Helen worked as the manager of the Sumterville Senior Center in Sumterville, FL. She enjoyed all her responsibilities there including helping the Seniors with various projects. Helen loved her flower gardens. She enjoyed cooking and playing cards. Helen was a former member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City and she currently attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Reese.
Helen is survived by her children: Richard (Kathleen) Mika of Luzerne, Lorraine (Charles) Kurtansky of Reese, John (Janice) Mika, Jr. of Decker, Linda (Charles) Anklam of Port St. Lucie, FL, George (Sharon) Mika of Caro, Robert (Romina) Mika of Fircrest, WA; 23 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; 9 step great grandchildren; sister, Jennie Mozdzen of Deford; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Krause of Ann Arbor, Helen Murawski of Detroit; many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her daughter and son-in-law: Barbara and Richard Tetil; son, James Mika; granddaughter, Kristi Mika; sisters: Maxine Witkowski and Anna Murawski.
Funeral service held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with Rev. Prentis Tipton of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Reese and Sr. Maria Dina Puddu, MC officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City. Pallbearers for Mrs. Yirak: Tom Tetil, David Kurtansky, Paul Mika, Greg Mika, Steve Mika and Oliver Mika. Memorials may be made to Sumterville Senior Center, Sumterville, FL or Lutheran Hospice of Hope, Frankenmuth. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
7 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2012 Vigil Service in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2012 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church - Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz, 989-872-2195
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service Information
St. Pancratius Catholic Church
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors