Cover photo for Helen L (Barnes)  Sykora's Obituary
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1927 Helen 2020

Helen L (Barnes) Sykora

March 25, 1927 — April 2, 2020

Helen Lucy Barnes Sykora, age 93, of Marshall passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 2, 2020 under the care of Oaklawn Hospital and a loving family.

Helen was born March 25, 1927 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Edward F. Barnes and Grace (O’Brien) Barnes. She received her formal education at St. Boniface Grade School, Washington Junior High School, Lincoln High School, and the University of Wisconsin. She was a lifelong learner, gifted writer, and encouraged her children and grandchildren in their studies.

On August 21, 1948, she married Harry L. Sykora at St. Andrews Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin at an 8:00 a.m. ceremony. An outdoor wedding reception was hosted by her parents at their family apple orchard overlooking the bluffs of Lake Michigan. Her husband preceded her in death on June 10, 1992.

During the depression years, Helen’s parents owned a corner grocery store in Manitowoc.  The family resided adjacent to their business where their role as shopkeepers intertwined with the lives of neighborhood families.

After marriage, Helen and her husband resided in Elgin, Illinois, where Harry was enrolled as a student at the Elgin Watch Company. After watchmaker school, they relocated to Green Bay, WI to start their new life and family. Together they raised six children and subsequent career changes required family moves from Green Bay to Denver, CO, Findlay, OH, Marshall, Crawfordsville, IN and returning to Marshall, which Helen always considered home.

Helen’s career as a feature writer with the Community Ad-Visor began in September 1972, until August 13, 2016 when her long running “Digressing” column took its final bow. She will be best remembered for her sense of humor and affection for people’s life stories, and love of her family. Her longtime employer and friend, John Jacobs, his family of newspaper publishers and their staff were all fondly known as her second family.

She was proud of her Irish heritage as settlers and dairy farmers in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. When Helen moved away from Wisconsin, she enjoyed return trips, often as a passenger on the U.S. Badger Ferry from Ludington to Manitowoc. Whichever side of Lake Michigan she was on, a love of water and swimming lasted a lifetime.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry L. Sykora, sons Patrick Sykora and Timothy Sykora; grandson Nathan Sykora, brother Jack Barnes and brother-in-law Hetch Rusboldt.

She is survived by son Bryan (Barbara McHenry) Sykora of Minneapolis, Minnesota; daughter Maureen (David) Reed; son Daniel Sykora; son Harry Sykora, daughter-in-law Patrice Marquart, and former daughters-in-laws Dyan Davis, and Linda Sykora; Grandchildren Mike (Katy) Reed, Ben (Erin) Reed, Jayne Sykora, Kathy (Chris Hetherington) Sykora, Kevin Sykora, Emily Sykora, Karrly (Kevin) Stansbery, Kenady (Jared) Multer, and Kabe Sykora; Great-grandchildren: Elena and Emerson Reed, Jackson Kownacki, Oloren Sykora, Jack and Cole Heatherington, Rage Stansbery; sister Edith Rusboldt and sister in law, Shirley Barnes.

Miller AFC Home and Maplewood of Marshall Assisted Living provided loving care and affection for Helen over the last several years.

Memorials may be made to: Ad-Visor & Chronicle (local Marshall newspaper) or Grandchildren’s Enrichment Fund.  Assistance with memorials is available through the funeral home.

** Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a celebration of life memorial service will take place at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US 27 Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068

https://www.kempffueralhome.com

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