Helen F. Kowalski

Helen was born April 11, 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas to Michael and Anna Krysa. Helen was raised in the east side of Kansas City in a Polish Catholic neighborhood. This foundation guided her throughout her life. As a child, Helen worked in her parents Polish Grocery store and grew up prior to electricity, television, radio and sliced bread. Helen learned to cook Polish food from her mom and spent many years trying to teach her grandchildren how to make traditional polish food without recipes. Helen was strong in her faith and prayed the rosary everyday.

On May 28, 1938 Helen was united in marriage to Joseph J. Kowalski at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. From this marriage three children were born, Mary Jo, Joseph and Thomas. Helen was a member of the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. After St. Stanislaus closed she became a member of Our Lady of Peace in Kansas City, MO. Outside of the home she worked at Sears and Roebuck on Truman Road where she retired. Besides keeping the church clean she enjoyed volunteering at The Bishop Sullivan Center and visiting the casinos prior to losing her vision to Macular Degeneration.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother John (Jocko) Krysa, sister Genevieve Bukovac, husband Joseph, son Joe, daughter-in-laws Judy Kowalski and Sandra Kowalski, son-in-law Joseph Palmer and great granddaughter Katelyn Maxwell.

Survivors include daughter Mary Jo Palmer, son Thomas Kowalski and daughter-in-law Virginia Kowalski. Grandchildren Sharon (Steve) Maxwell, Karen Palmer, Denise (Todd) Halvorsen, Jim Walker, Jennifer Palmer and Kim Edney. Great-grandchildren: Brandon Edney, Kyra Halvorsen, Alex Maxwell and Reese Halvorsen.

A visitation for Helen will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the McGilley & Sheil Funeral Home, 11924 E. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133 with rosary service will begin at 10:15 AM. A graveside service will occur Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64138.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hillside Village in DeSoto, Kansas for their care of Helen during the last three years.

Donations in Helen's memory may be sent to the Bishop Sullivan Center at 6435 Truman Road

Kansas City, MO 64126; https://www.bishopsullivan.org/donations/make-your-gift-2/. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Kowalski family.