Helen E. Wetzel

Helen Elizabeth Zurad Wetzel, 101, of New Orleans died June 22, 2023 at St Anna’s at Lambeth House in the loving care of her family and staff. Mrs. Wetzel was born in Chicago, IL on March 19,1922 to Nellie Szczepaniec and Jakob Zurad. The second of six daughters, she is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, COL (USAF ret) Albert John “Red” Wetzel, and her sisters, Stephanie Zurad, Jean Rusinek, Florence Minardi, Mary Eckstein, and Virginia Gorlewski. She is survived by her four children Albert Jr, Elizabeth McCormick, Joan Wetzel, all of New Orleans, and E. Russell Wetzel (Janet) of Madison, AL; grandsons John Wetzel (Trey Erin) of Great Neck, New York, Franklin Wetzel of Bremerton, WA, and Peter Wetzel of Huntsville, AL.

Helen attended Holy Innocents Parochial School and Wells High School in Chicago, IL and earned a B.F.A. in Fine Arts from Newcomb College of Tulane University,1976. Helen was a Lady Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and Dame of the Knights of Malta.

Helen was a professional ballerina and an early protege of the famed ballet instructor Ms. Edna Baum of Chicago, performing in The Polish Ballet and other theatrical acts in the Chicago area, prior to her departure for New York City. At age 19 she was lead dancer in the Broadway play “Pal Joey” and danced in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake and many other performances in New York. Helen danced with Radio City Music Hall - “Corps de Ballet” and contracted to perform with “USO Camp Shows” throughout the European Theater immediately following V-E day.

Red and Helen were married in 1946 in Bad Wiessee, Bavaria, then serving while they were stationed in Germany and the US, before returning to Red’s hometown of New Orleans with their four children. Helen was very active in social organizations including Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, the Tulane Women’s Auxiliary, CODOFIL and other cultural committees.

Helen was a researcher for the Historic New Orleans Collection, and a talented artist in dance, paint, and sculpture. She was devoted to her family and community and remained steadfast in her cheerful demeanor, positive in every encounter till her last day.

A memorial service will be held at the Lambeth House Chapel on Tuesday, June 27 2023, at 2pm with visitation starting at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Lambeth House Foundation, 150 Broadway, New Orleans, LA 70118, (504) 872-9720, would be appreciated.