Helena Lazanowski

Helena (Perepelkin) Lazanowski, 100, passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2025. ‘Helen’ was born in the Village of Martynkovo, Smolensk Region, Russia on August 7, 1924 and had lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana since 1950 when she and her family immigrated to the United States after World War II.

Helen worked for many years cleaning homes to help provide for her family. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, dancing, gardening, and going to church where she enjoyed singing in the choir at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church. It was her strong faith and love for God that inspired her to help build this church.

Helen also loved spending time with her family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy and she cherished every moment with them. She was a beloved mother and ‘Baba’ to her grandchildren. She had many friends, and to know Helen was to love Helen.

Helen is survived by her children, Valery Perepelkin, of Aurora, Colorado, Valentina (Jim Draper) Friar, of Charlotte, Michigan, Irene Lebrato, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Tony (Donna) Lazanowski, of Lakeland, Florida; 7 grandchildren, Michael (Kimm) Friar, Nikki Friar, Christopher Lebrato, Austin (Joanna) Lazanowski, Jeremy (Sarah) Lazanowski, Justin (Holly) Lazanowski, and Nicholas (Deborah) Perepelkin, and 15 great-grandchildren, as well as her beloved fur-baby cat, Simba.

She was preceded in death by her former husband & father of her 4 children, Ivan Perepelkin, infant daughter, Alvena Perepelkin, husband of 31 years, Boleslaw Lazanowski, Son-in-law, Joe Lebrato, and Son-in-law, Gene Friar.

Visitation will be on Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 11:30-1:30 pm with the Memorial Service beginning at 1:30 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Home, Pine Valley. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions in Helen’s honor can be made to Humane Fort Wayne on Leesburg Road.