TAMA-Helen L. Herink, 89, of Tama, passed away, Monday, June 11, 2012 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama under the care of the nursing home staff and Iowa River Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael Mescher as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 13 from 5 – 6:30 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with a 6:30 PM Rosary.
Helen was born on September 28, 1922 in York Township, Tama County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Edward and Emma (Kubalek) Hrstka. On February 11, 1942, she was united in marriage to Ludwig G. Herink at the St. Mary's Parsonage in Vining. Helen was a homemaker and also worked as a cook at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama for seventeen years. In her spare time, she enjoyed cake decorating, sewing, playing cards, and making crafts. Helen was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and the CCW.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Ludwig on August 27, 2009; two brothers, Arthur and Paul Hrstka; and one sister, Lucille Yilek.
Survivors include four daughters, Suzanne (George) Mohrfeld of Tama, Geraldine (Marlin) Wiese of Cedar Rapids, Cheryl (Dr. L. Travis) Smith of Martinez, GA, and Karla (Warren) Marchant of Tifton, GA; twelve grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mildred (Milo) Benda of Traer, Martha O'Connor of Tama, and Eva Kasal of Chelsea.
Memorials may be directed to the St. Patrick Catholic Church Building Fund or Iowa River Hospice.