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Halina Mokriakow Obituary

Halina Mokriakow
Halina Mokriakow, nee Myelski, 85, of Millstadt, Ill., born April 20, 1924, in Ukrania, died Friday Nov. 13, 2009, at her home.
Halina retired from Coats & Things as a tailor. She was a member of Maplewood Park Baptist Church in Cahokia, Ill.
Halina became a Christian in the German War camps in World War II. Halina and her husband and family came to America when they were sponsored by the First Baptist Church in Ash Grove, Mo., in 1950. Halina shared her faith openly with everyone God put in her path. She was a wonderful cook and loved to feed everyone. She welcomed everyone into her family and never met a stranger. She was generous and gave even when she had nothing left for herself.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Howrylo Mokriakow; her parents, Olimpy and Maria Myelski; her daughter, Susie Jean Mokrikow; her great-grandchild, Brittney Nicole Potter.
Surviving are her children, William (Betty) Mokriakow of Waterloo, IL., Leon (Esther) Mokriakow of Maryville, Ill., Cathy (Raymond) Baldridge of Millstadt, Ill., George (Peggy) Mokriakow of Millstadt, Ill., and Irene (Marc) Hurt of Hannibal, Mo.; her grandchildren, Tanya (David) Potter, Diane Mokriakow, Scott Mokriakow, Sherry (Darren) Shank, Dennis Mokriakow, Nikolia Mokriakow, Dawn Baldridge, Jeremy (Rachel) Baldridge, Jonathan Baldridge, George D. (Jessica) Mokriakow, Angelia L. (Dan) Berni, Leah (Josh) Clements, and Marcus (Michelle) Hurt. She is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Lottie Moon Christmas Offering - of Maplewood Park Baptist Church in Cahokia, Ill.
www.straussfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt, Ill., with Pastor David Gray, officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Ill.

STRAUSS-LEESMAN
FUNERAL HOME,
Millstadt, Ill.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Belleville News-Democrat from Nov. 15 to Nov. 16, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Halina Mokriakow

35 Entries

Esther Mokriakkow

November 11, 2011

Mom,
It is now almost 2 years since you've been gone. The pain of missing you is still there. I wish that we could talk or watch a movie together. We had some wonderful times together and I am thankful for those.
I guess you know that Ray is now in Heaven with you. I imagine you were at the Gate to meet him and welcome him. I know he is happy and free from the mental and physical anguish that he had. It's just so hard to lose a loved one. I know it's not forever, but it still hurts.
I know I don't deal with death well. I'm still grieving the loss of you, Aunt Mary Beth and Aunt Dorothy. Also my friend Chip. Death is hard to live with. I'm glad I have the Lord to cling to.
Thank you for being a wonderful friend, mother in law, encourager and prayer warrior. I love you! Esther

Christmas at the Fox 2008

Irene Hurt

November 15, 2010

Mom,
Where has the time gone? It has been a fast year and a long year all in one. I can't help but want to turn down your street as I enter Millstadt, wishing so much that you were still there in your beautiful apartment that you loved so much. Cathy and I are watching Christmas Movies together now keeping the tradition going. I had a beautiful fall trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains this last week and could not help but think of you everytime I saw the beautiful red and yellow trees. I know that your landscape in Heaven is so much more beautiful than we can even imagine. God has been so good to continually remind me that you are home now and totally healed and free from your wheelchair, walker and pain. I am so happy for that. I can't wait to see you in your new body, I know you are beautiful, I will recognize your beautiful smile. I miss sharing with you the things that God is teaching me and hearing from you all the wisdom you have gleaned from God's word. I miss our talks on the phone and when we would get ready to say goodbye, you would always say, "I think we just had church". Thank you for being my rock, my prayer warrier and my encourager. You were the best! Love you always, Irene

Many generations of Mokriakows at Memorial Day.

Leon Mokriakow

November 14, 2010

Halina and her children

Leon Mokriakow

November 14, 2010

Mom's smile

Catju Baldridge

November 13, 2010

Hi, Mom,
It's time for us to start watching all your favorite Christmas videos. Irene and I took a foliage trip this year the way we use to. I miss you so much. I listened to your voice on the voice mail I saved. It was great hearing your happy voice.
I love you,
Cathy

A beautiful lady with a radiant smile.

Esther Mokriakow

November 11, 2010

Mom,
I can't believe it's been a year since you went to Heaven. I miss you very much.
I wanted to tell you about the new addition to the family. Mykl has a new baby girl. Her name is Evelyn Grace and she is beautiful. Elijah says he likes his new baby. Mykl is all smiles and happy to have a daughter.
Just think mom, the family started with 5 members and it is now over 60 members. God truly did bless your life in many ways. I can hardly wait to see you again. Meet you at the gate. I love you.
Esther

I love that smile...

Esther Mokriakow

November 11, 2010

One of my favorite pictures with Mom, March 2009

Irene Hurt

June 20, 2010

Irene & Mom 9/2009

Irene Hurt

June 20, 2010

Mom,
It is hard to believe that I have not talked to you in 7 months, where has the time gone. I miss you so much. I wrote something about the time I spent with you and wanted to share it with friends and family. Thank you for living the Christian life before us so that we could see Jesus by watching your life.

TEN LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY MOTHER

1.Do not dwell on the illness or death.
We talked about death often and she was always pleased at the prospect of going to heaven and seeing “The Father”. There was never any fear involved with the prospect of death only excitement and wondering about what it will be like to spend eternity with God.
One day she asked me if I thought God was mad at her. I told her “No” and asked her why she thought that. She said that she prayed everyday that God would come and take her home to be with him but he was not answering her. She was a great prayer warrior and she was very accustom to having God answer her prayers and she couldn’t understand why he was not answering this one. I reassured her that God was aware of her prayer and that “He would not let her live one minute longer nor take her one minute sooner than he had planned for her. She said I guess that he is not done with me yet. I guess I still have things to do.
We talked about having cancer and if she feared it. She told me that she did not ever dwell on the cancer. She said that she rebuked it and prayed about it but never dwelled on it. She told me that when she awoke each morning she would thank God for another day and never thought “Oh no, I have cancer”. She said that she did not now why God chose this path for her but she could see some good things coming out of it. She was able to use it as a witnessing tool to her doctors. She would tell her doctors that she prayed for them daily to have wisdom in treating her cancer. She told them that she believed in them and that they were doing the best they knew how to do but that God was first, doctors second and medicine next. Her cancer doctor would always say, “I would not want it any other way.

2. Rehearse our Blessings.
Mom could always see a blessing in every situation. Even when I could not see a possibility of a blessing in what she was going through, she would find something to be thankful for. When she was in the hospital or nursing home she would always remember to thank those who served her and she would tell them “If I had a million dollars, I would give it to you”. Mom, as all of us do, always dreaded the thought of being in a nursing home but she was able to find some blessings about being there. She would always say that the girls were so nice to her, the food was pretty good, and it was nice to have company all the time. She really wanted to go home but she would say, “It’s not so bad here”. When I would visit her, she would like to reminisce about how God has been so good to her and her family. She would talk about how God watched over them in the German War camps and how he brought them to America and how he watch out for her and my father as they raised 5 children. Mom loved people so she took this opportunity while in the nursing home to encourage the workers while she was there. Sometimes in the evening when we would come to visit mom, the young aids would be in her room wanting to know about her life and the time she spent in the war camps. They would love to come and see mom because she would encourage them in whatever situation they were going through. Some were going to school and she would pray with them about the classes they were struggling with. Don’t get me wrong, she had some rough days when the pain was great and she was discouraged about her health and she did not want company but she would not allow those times to stick around long. We would give her some space and time to herself and soon she was able to allow God to help her refocus on him.
3.Always watch what God is doing and join in.
Mom was always aware of what God was doing around her. She was continually in prayer asking God to touch the lives of those around her. When she was sent to a new doctor she was sometimes reluctant because she had so many new doctors in the end. She would once again realize that God had a purpose for sending her to another doctor and she would say, “I guess I will have one more doctor to pray for. We talked about what a witness she had been to all of her doctors and how she always gave God the Glory for every victory that she had. She had several Muslim doctors and I told her that as long as God kept giving you these Muslim doctors, you still had a job to do. On the Wednesday before her death, she was having difficulty breathing and the nursing home called her doctor and he said to send her to the hospital. Mom was glad in someway to get some relief but also very tired of being in and out of the hospital. She would say, I guess God is not finished with me yet. When we arrived and mom was finally admitted to her room it was around 1:00am and we were all very tired. As I waited for the nursing staff to finish her admission I began to notice a person in the room next door to Mom’s that was coughing so hard it almost sounded like she was barking. It was starting to annoy me and I begin to fear that this would keep mom from falling to sleep. When the nursing staff finally left and all was quiet the coughing began again. I thought to my self, no please God, don’t let this irritate mom and when I looked over at Mom in the dark she had her hand raised and was praying for God to be merciful to whoever it was that was not able to sleep because of the coughing and she prayed that they would rest. Mom fell asleep right after her prayer. In a few seconds I noticed that it was really quiet and the coughing had stopped. God reminded me that I needed to be more aware of what he wanted me to do and not be so ready to complain about a situation instead of seeking what he wanted me to do. A short time later I heard a nursing go into the persons room and ask, “Are you alright, it was so quiet, I got worried”. I can see why mom was to be at the hospital that night so she could pray for this person.
4.Trust God, even when hope seems so impossible. Expect a miracle!
The first evidence that mom had cancer was when she lost her sight in her left eye. We took her to the eye doctor and he said that she had a tumor and that she needed to see a specialist at Barnes. When we saw him he said that the tumor was malignant and that it had done permanent to her eye and that she would never get her sight back even if the tumor was removed. She told him that he did not know her God. She knew that God could take care of that tumor and that she was going to pray for her sight back and he said well, “Whatever”. He went on to say that the lining of the eye where the tumor was is like tissue paper and once it gets wrinkled, it will never straighten out and it was impossible to see again. Her cancer doctor was going to try a chemo pill to see if it would shrink the tumor so the eye doctor said let’s wait to see what happens with the chemo before we try radiation. Several months later, upon her return he was amazed to see that the tumor was gone and that she had her complete vision back. Even the lining of the eye had straightened out and there was no sign of the tumor. He told her that she was a miracle, she told him I told you God could heal my eye. He said that made a believer out of him and from then on every time she visited him he would go to the waiting room to get her and say, here is my miracle patient and explain the situation to the resident doctors with such excitement.
5.Do not question Gods plans for you.
She would say many times, I do not know why God has allowed me to have cancer but if it is in his plan, He will help me through it. She never blamed God for choosing this road for her but she would use this opportunity to pray for each doctor along the way and when there was a new doctor added to her list she would say well I guess another doctor needs to be prayed for. Her favorite verse was in Isa. 55:8 -9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways, As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” She discovered this verse while in the prison camps in Germany and she abided by it all her life.
6.Never stop hungering after God’s words.
Because of Mom’s declining health she was not able to go to church as she had done all her life. She was very faithful to attend Sunday School and Church services. When I was there on the weekends, we would begin our morning with praise music and old hymns. She loved to sing. Sometimes she did not always remember the words but she did not let that stop her from praising her Lord. She always wanted me to read the Bible to her. We would usually start in Psalms and then work our way into some of the Old Testament and then the New Testament. She had underline all the verses that meant so much to her and before long, her whole Bible was pretty much underlined. Her Bible was well worn and I love that she has it full of scrap paper markers. When I went through her things after her death, I found so many note books and scraps of paper that she would write out the word of God. God’s word was her life, she taught herself to read English by reading the Bible. She never could get enough of it. Whenever anything came up she would always say, let’s see what the word has to say about that. She would call me regularly and excitedly tell me what she had learned new from God’s word. We would rejoice together over God’s promises and when we were done she would say, I think we just had Church!.
7.Remember to keep your sense of humor.
Mom’s memory began to fade some especially after surgery. She was still aware enough to know when she said something wrong and she would laugh at herself. On day we were praying for her doctors and she asked God to give her doctor watermelon so he could know how to treat her. Cathy and I snickered some during the prayer and afterwards mom said, Did I ask God to give the doctor some watermelon? We said yes and she just laughed and said I was trying to say wisdom.
8.Take time to spend time with those you love and say I love you often.
Mom was always excited to see her family. She was so comforted when we were there with her. She told me that she did not know what she would do without her children helping her everyday. Every time we saw mom she always said I love you. There were many times while I was just sitting with her during the day I would look at her and say, “Do you know how much I love You? And she would smile. I would remind her what a great mother and friend that she has been to me and all of her children, and what a great friend she had been to her friends who loved her dearly. We would try to take turns staying at the nursing home or hospital so that Mom would not be there alone. She really loved to have us all there together at one time but we tried to explain to her that we were all taking turns so no one got worn out. She always understood but she would say, I love when you and Cathy both spend the night here. One night I met Cathy for dinner before we went back to the nursing home, our brother George was staying with Mom so we took a little time for ourselves. Journal entry “ The food is good but I am so anxious to get back to check on mom. I wish that she was here eating with us, she always enjoyed eating out. Cathy and I talk about Mom and how much we enjoy staying with her. Cathy told me that she was thinking about how Lucky I was to get to spend this time with Mom, I agree with her I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to spend this time serving her.” Mom would apologize a lot about us having to take care of her and I would always tell her that it was such a privilege to get to serve her in this way. When I go home for the weekends, I miss mom so much, I call her and talk to her for a while, she told me that she misses my smile and my pretty teeth.
9.Pray, and never say Amen.
Mom prayed without ceasing. My moto for her was “She never said Amen”. She said that she just kept a prayer going all day and until she went to bed, then she would say an Amen. Mom loved to kneel before the Lord to pray. As she became weaker, it was impossible to get on her knees. One day when I was reading about how King Hezekiah fell on his face before the Lord to ask for healing Mom looked at me and said, I wish that I could fall on my knees and praise God. When the Girls would come to get her for Therapy, sometime she would ask them if they would put her on her knees so she could praise God. Of course they said that they could not do that and she would tell them yes you can and she would be sad that they would not help her to her knees. She spent most of her days praying when she was unable to walk on her own. She would never let us leave her unless she could pray over us that we would have a safe journey home. We prayed a lot together. We prayed when she was in pain, confused, sad, upset, and happy. Prayer was always the solution to whatever was going on in her life, our live and the world. When mom was sleeping, sometimes I would sit and watch her, her lips would move and I could hear a soft “JESUS” and a sweet smile would cover her lips. Cathy and I would pray over mom before we would leave for the night, she had an angel that glowed in the night that she loved to watch until she fell asleep. As mom began to get weaker she began to ask each of us to release her and not to pray that she live. It was very hard to pray that because selfishly, I wanted Mom to live and I did not want Mom to think that we had given up hope of her surviving. She began to pray regularly that God would come and take her during the night so each night before she went to sleep, I would pray with her and ask God to send his Angels for Mom tonight so that she could receive her reward in Heaven. It seemed so odd to pray that in her presence but it comforted her to hear me pray that. In the morning, she would say, You mean I am still alive? I guess God is still not finished with me yet. She would ask somedays, How long can I live like this, and I would remind her that God has appointed her days on this earth and when they were up, she would go Home to be with him. “He never takes His eye off of us or off the clock ticking over us.” Mom also had some wonderful praying nurses. On day when Mom was asking me when God would answer her prayer and take her to heaven her nurse said that she would be praying for mom throughout the day while she was on call. Another time we had a woman who came in to take mom in the wheel chair for an X-ray and swallow test. She heard my sister and I praying for my mom before they took her and she was so exited and told us that she was a believer and that she uses the time while she is taking patients to their test to pray over them. So all the way down the hall and to the X-ray lab this young lady prayed out loud for mom and rebuked Satan from mom’s body. She would say, “body, line up with the word of God, Blood, do what God created you to do and so on.” When the tests were over, and she picked mom back up she told mom that all her tests turned out great and they both praised God all the way back to the room. What a blessing this lady was to us. The next time she had to pick up mom for a test, she came a little early and she asked if we could close the door and all pray together for mom before she took her.
10.Say your good byes and let them go.
Mom really enjoyed being touched. She loved to hold your hand or to have her head pat especially when she was ready to fall asleep. It is very difficult to say good-bye to mom but every night when we prayed, I will say if I don’t see you in the morning, I’ll see you in heaven. She was very pleased that we were able to talk about the end and say goodbye without it being painful. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to be able to let go at the end. If she has had a good day it is easy to say the words but if it has been a bad day and reality hits, it is very difficult. Journal Entry: Today I pray, It takes so many people to take care of mom, I am not sure that I will ever be able to do this alone at her home. God, I come to you looking for wisdom and direction. I am willing to face this task, I come to you with my hands open. Lord fill them with what you wish and take from then what you wish. Help me to let go of what you tell me to let go of and hold on to only what you tell me to hold on to. Lord, Take Mom, she is yours. Help me not to hold on too tightly to her, give me the faith I need to lay down my desire for her life and only see what you desire for her. I know that when I do it your way, you will make the journey as easy as you can for me to travel.” On Monday, Nov 9th, Mom’s is very frail and I think for the first time we can see that her time is short. Our plan was to let her recoop at the nursing home for a week and then take her home but My brothers and I decide to take her home now with the help of Hospice. I am so glad to finally be able to take her home. She wants to go home so badly but has stopped asking us to take her there. Journal Entry: I told mom that she is going home today, she cries a little because she is so happy. I tell her that we have a bed for her in the living room so she can be out in the midst of things. She smiles, I tell her we will watch movies and drink hot tea, this makes her very happy. We pray this morning asking for God’s will for her. We rebuke Satan from bringing gloom and despair to this day. Mom say that she just wants a good day today. We ask God to send her a delightful day today and he does. The ambulance brings her home around 12:30pm. She is not sure she recognizes where she is. It has been 2 months since she has seen her home. Her bed is in front of the window and she can look out and see the beautiful trees. She begins to recognize where she is and says I remember this place, this is my little apartment in Milstadt. I smile and say yes, She begins to thank God for being a great God and she begins to sing Amazing Grace in her tiny weak voice, she does not know all the words so I join in with her to help and we sing to the Father, she is smiling and praising God, what an awesome sight” The Hospice nurse arrives and gets mom settled in and give us the instructions. Mom is not allowed to remain on her cancer medication and that scares me a little. I call her Cancer Dr. and he says that it will not make that much difference since she has stopped responding to the medication. He tells me that Mom is his longest living cancer survivor who chose not to use traditional Chemo for there cancer. I ask him how long she has and he say about 3 weeks, but you can not ever tell. I am shocked and sad and I cry for our loss. My brother Bill comes over to spend time with mom and he brings his guitar and they sing Christmas Carols together. She is so happy today. She loves her family and enjoys every minute with them. She reminds Bill to pray for God to take her and not to hold on to her and he reminds her that he has released her and it is OK for her to go. She smiles with comfort. I have an attorney who Is a friend of mine and is a great Christian come to sign some papers with Mom. I explain to her who he is and that the papers will tell her doctors not to keep her alive. She is quite pleased that we are letting her go. She says to him, where do I sign and he helps her sign, she is weak and unable to write her name without assistance. When we are done, she begins to tell him that she is very happy and that she is ready to go see Jesus and can hardly wait. He asks if he can pray with her and she gives him her hand and as he prays, she begins to praise Jesus. I think she thinks that He will take her to Jesus because she tells him that she is ready to go now and wants to know where his he taking her. I explain to her that he is just the Lawyer and that she will have to wait for God to come for her. She is not happy about that but say OK, but I want to go see Jesus now. Tonight when we prepare for bed, we listen to hymns and pray for God to come and take her tonight, and mom asks me if I would hold her for a little while and I did and she just smiles. She begins to relax and rest and falls asleep.” The next evening, Mom asks again if I would sit by her and hug her and I did and she says, “I like that” She told me that she talked to Jesus for two hours today, I asked her what he told her and she said that he told her that he was coming for her tonight. I told her it would be OK for her to go and that I would miss her a lot but that I would see her in heaven someday. That night she told me that she would be talking tonight but she is not talking to me and for me to not get up unless she called me. It has been a good day, I am tired but I am so thankful I am here with her and have this opportunity to learn from her. We go to bed around 10pm and mom is praying out loud, praising God and asking him to come for her and take her to heaven. I fall asleep and every time I wake up during the night she is still praying out loud. She calls out for a drink and I get her one and then she continues to pray out loud. She is so precious and is so ready to go to be with Jesus. I think about Psm 63: 6-7 “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” The time is getting close and the end is near, all her children gather to say their good byes. I kneel at her bed and talk to her. I tell her good bye and that she was my best friend and I will miss her sweet smile so much but that I want her to go and be with Dad in heaven. I go into the kitchen and begin to bake a Pumpkin Pie Cake, one of mom’s favorites, I know she would be pleased to have something to serve the guests that will come. I am told to come into the living room because her breathing is becoming shallow; I sit by her side watching for that last breath. Is it hard to believe she has stopped breathing. She looks so peaceful. I already miss her and she is barely gone one minute. I am mixed with joy for her entry in heaven and sadness for our loss on earth.

This is just one grain of sand in comparison to all that I have learned as I spent these last days with you Mom, I miss you dearly but would not wish you back here to this earth and your pain ridden body. Enjoy heaven and your new glorified body. Enjoy walking those streets of Gold and time spent praising our Lord and Savior. I will see you some day. Meet me at the gate. I love you, Irene

Esther Mokriakow

April 18, 2010

Mom,
I couldn't have asked for a better mother-in-law. You touched my life so in many ways that it's hard to count them all.
I miss you talking with you, I miss seeing your smile. I miss having tea with you and whatever special treat you'd cooked up that day.
You've been gone from here 5months now and it still hurts like the day you died. In just another day we'd have been celebrating your 86th birthday. I miss you so much mom. It's just not the same here without you. I'm happy for you that you're not hurting or sick anymore. You have that perfect body now and boy how I envy that. I miss us sharing our aches and predicting that rain was coming. We were more accurate then the weather reports.
You were such an inspiration to me. You lived your faith with a smile on your face. I know when you got to the gate you heard "Well done my good and faithful servant" . I love you with all my heart mom and can't wait until I can meet you at the gate.
Love,
Esther

Debbie Baldridge

November 19, 2009

I remember coming over to visit and your mother/grandma would be visting, she would always welcome me and we would give each other a hug and kiss, then I would sit and listen to her talk, I loved her accent. I admired her for the life she lived, she really lived, she had faith that was strong,all you had to do was be in the same room,her love for the Lord just kinda jumped right into you and made you feel you could believe that way too, what an inspiration she was. She always had a beautiful smile, and a heart of Gold. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten.

Joyce and Charles Long

November 18, 2009

Although you all will miss her each and every day, you can always think of her each time you stop to pray. She was so weak and tired and wanted to go home. You stayed by her side that night, the family all her own. She fell asleep. She did not move. Her suffering was over. She will always be remembered by my family as the best lady in the world. She claimed us as her extended family and we were so proud of that. She left a wonderful family whom we all love so much. Each one is a very special part of her gift to everyone. Each one is in some way exactly like her. That's a good thing. Love you Halina and will miss talking to you about what hurts us at the time. Love you all, Joyce and Charles Long

Sherri Nance (Long)

November 17, 2009

Grandma Helena has always been a third Grandma to me,my brother Gary & my sister Lori as well as one to my kids Josh & Faith. She had a radiant smile,warm personality and a flair about her that was that of a young soul though she may have been older. Eternally youthful,friend to all,no one will soon forget the impact she made on so many lives. I thank her family for including us in her life,for we became her extended family and loved her dearly. She leaves her legacy behind in her kind & compassionate children. Helena has gone home,but her memory will live forever in our hearts as we say goodbye to a beautiful woman inside & out.

Jeremy Baldridge

November 17, 2009

Grandma Helen Mokriakow was a great woman. Words can not express how deeply she will be missed. Grandma was a true example of how a Christian should lead their lives. Her insatiable thirst for God and her passion for sharing his word with anyone who talked with her was a true testament to her love for others. Grandma always kept involved in the details of our lives. She knew when we were sick, facing financial difficulties, facing challenges in our careers, and even our personal walks with God. Grandma knew the Bible so well that she would have the perfect scripture for us even before we knew we needed it. Our family knew God’s hand would be over us because Grandma prayed for us for 3 hours the night before and 3 hours when she awoke that morning.
Things I will always remember about Grandma:
Her smell. I loved the pillows my mom brought home from her old house. I could sit there, close my eyes, take a smell, and instantly I am brought back to her house.
Food. Grandma loved to make us food. We could always find room for her cooking. She had a special way of making blanis/crepes (thin pancakes)…she would sprinkle some some sugar or maybe honey before rolling them up. She would serve it with hot tea with milk and honey. Her hallupsakis (spelling?), borche, I could go on and on.
Her love….Grandma always asked about your day first before she told you about hers. She was always interested in the lives of us all down to the littlest detail.

Grandma we love you very much and you will be missed by so many.

November 17, 2009

To the Mokriakow Family: Leon we are sorry to hear of your dear mother's loss. Our prayers are with you at this time. Your may remember us from Sunday school class at Maryville Babtist. This is a very difficult time in your life but we all know who to turn to for peace and tranquility. She is in God's hands now. Our prayers are with you and Esther.

Dennis and Sue Jackson
Louisville, KY

Mary Ann Schmisseur

November 16, 2009

To the Mokriakow Family,
I'm so sorry for the loss of your precious mother. Halina was an amazing lady whose life touched so many people throughout the years I will always remember her big smile and delightful personality. She truly lived her life as a witness to the Lord, and an inspiration to all who were blessed to have known her. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Sara McNew

November 16, 2009

Irene and Family,
I count it a blessing that I had the opportunity to hear you Mother give her testimony and to see her smiling face in action as she told people about Jesus. I know she will be sadly missed by her family but you know she is in heaven with her Heavenly Father.
Harold and Sara McNew Shelbina, MO

Terry and Debbie Geist

November 16, 2009

To the Mokriakow Family,
Your Mom was a wonderful person and I know that she will be missed. I pray that the memories you have of her will sustain you until you see her again in our "forever home"! We pray that God will give you His peace at this very difficult time. We love you all very much!

Dawn Baldridge

November 16, 2009

It is such a blessing to see how many lives Grandma Halina's faith and love has touched! She will be missed by everyone she met and loved. She now guards us from above for she is no longer bond here on this earth but is loose and free in heaven. =)

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Mathew 16:18.

We love you Mema
XOX,
Dawn

November 16, 2009

You are in our prayers, Brian and Lori Gosneyi

November 16, 2009

Irene and Family--We're so sorry for your loss, but we are glad with you that she is now relieved of discomfort and is comfortable in heaven with her Savior. We're also glad that you were able to spend her last days with her and will always have those special memories. Much sympathy and love, Doug, Amy, Andrew, and Katie Merrell

Jonathan Baldridge

November 16, 2009

To my Grandma,

Today I pray and smile sincere
With no regrets I will not fear
With all my love I say good bye
In my heart I know you will never die

Even though your body has died I know you are free. I will miss your special stories, warm banana nut bread, and smiling face Grandma. And I expect a warm plate of cookies when I see you again ;) Love you always

Jonathan

Mom

November 16, 2009

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2009

Linda Kropf

November 15, 2009

The term "prayer warrior" was coined to describe Helen. What a life she lived, what an inspiration she was. Love to the family.

Linda Kropf

November 15, 2009

The term "prayer warrior" was coined to describe Helen. What an incredible life, what a powerful witness. I'm sorry to see her go, but glad that her suffering is over. Love to the family. Linda Kropf, Shelbina.

Barb Rhoades-Roberts

November 15, 2009

TO the Mokriakow Family; I am sorry for your loss. Halina was a special lady and gave to all who came in contact with her. I will always remeber her smile. Such a beautiful lady.

November 15, 2009

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We pray the Lord will wrap His arms of love and comfort around you as you adjust to the change made in your family. Your Mother was such a blessing. Hurley & Charlette Schwieter, Shelbina

Linda Wilt

November 15, 2009

Your mother's testimony of faith in her Lord was a marvelous blessing to all knew her and now she is with Him. May you find comfort and strength in knowing Christian friends are standing with you and praying for you.

Carol Tatman

November 15, 2009

Irene and family... I had met your mother a couple of times. Once at Shelbina at a womens prayer meeting when she spoke about her time in the prison camps and how she came to the Lord and came to America. What an awesome mother! and what a continuing awesome witness for her Lord! I know it is hard to lose someone who was so inspirational to you and everyone she came in contact with. She was truly a woman after God's own heart. We love all of you and will pray for you. Carol Tatman -- Calvary (Hannibal)

November 15, 2009

Mokriankow Family,
I am sorry for the loss of your mother and grandmother. I didn't know her personally, but Leah talked about her with so much love and respect, I know she had to have been a wonderful and loving person. My prayers are with Leah and her family.
Respectfully,
Jill A. Johnson

Cindy Gorham

November 15, 2009

Such wonderful memories you all have to share of a devoted and loving Christian mother. Her testimony of love will never be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences to your family.

Harriet Palmer

November 15, 2009

What an inspiration she was to so many as she shared her Saviour with the rest of the world! I loved to visit with her when she came to Shelbina. Now she is pain free and the heavens are rejoicing.
Harriet Palmer, Heartland

November 15, 2009

Heaven is rejoicing at the coming home of one of their true saints. Our prayers are with those left behind.
Kerry and Kathy Lackey
Shelbina, MO

Cathy Baldridge

November 15, 2009

Dearest Mom,
You were the greatest Mom any girl could ask for. You were more than a mom, you were my best friend, prayer warrior and my most devoted fan. You cheered me on in every endeavor that I pursued. You let me know that you prayed for me everyday. I knew that every morning upon rising that before my feet ever touched the floor you had prayed for me and blessed me.

I will miss you and think of you everyday.
I'll meet you at the Gate.

Love,
Your daughter, Cathy

Violet Beckner

November 15, 2009

To all the Makriakow Family,
I am deeply sorry to hear of your mother's passing.She was a wonderfully gracious and charming person.
She showed us a different light with her strong faith in God. She shared her experience and help us to realize of all the privileges we have in America.
Never to forget her generous love.

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