Helen Anne Tresnak Karasek

Just days after celebrating her 99th birthday with family, Helen Anne Karasek, nee Tresnak, 99, of Swansea, IL, born July 26, 1915, in Westfield, Massachusetts, died July 31, 2014, at her daughter’s residence. Karasek and her late husband, Edward L. Karasek, were prolific artists in the St. Louis region creating artwork for more than 75 years. She was best known for her pastel portraits - especially of children, still lifes, flowers, and Czech subjects. Karasek attended art classes at Washington University (then called St. Louis School of Fine Arts); she was a member of the Czechoslovak Society of America (CSA) Lodge Estilian in Fairview Heights; past member of the Gateway East Artists’ Guild, St. Louis Artists’ Guild, St. Louis Independent Artists and the St. Louis Art Alliance. Helen was honored, along with her husband of 64 years, Edward Karasek, by the State of Illinois with a proclamation for their contribution to the arts on November 11, 2007. In 2006, her family published a book, Partners in Art, which reviewed their shared lives and careers. She had a deep connection with her parents’ homeland. She was raised in a Czech speaking household; visited The Czech Republic several times; and taught all her children and grandchildren to polka, to make pork and dumplings, and to always remember to use caraway seed. Above all, she was the family’s caretaker. She never failed to remind us to take care of ourselves and to be safe, to feed us if we were hungry, and to soothe us if we were hurt. Having lived through the Great Depression, she also taught us that we should never pass up a bargain or throw away anything useful! Regardless of child -rearing trends, she always followed her instinct to be kind, gentle, and positive. There was not a child who didn’t love her.

Besides her husband Edward, she was also preceded by her Czech immigrant parents, William and Anna Tresnak, nee Brajha; and brothers, William, Thomas, and Oliver Tresnak.

Surviving are her daughter and son, Carolyn Karasek-Needles (James) and Gary L Karasek (Ann) of Belleville, Il.; brother George Tresnak of San Leandro, CA; a most special niece Judy Sewell of Fairview Heights IL.; two granddaughters, Gail Kramper Geib (Danny) of Belleville, IL, and Ayanna Karasek of Orlando, FL; and two great grandchildren, Caroline and Kyle Geib.

Memorials in honor of Helen A. Karasek may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Services: Friends may call from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Lake View Funeral Home. Service is at 6 p.m. Private entombment.