Helen M. "Hrinda" Klier

Helen M. (Hrinda) Klier, 94, of Fairview, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 27, 2025.

Helen was born in Girard on June 3, 1931, the daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Danko) Hrinda. As a young woman and prior to her marriage, Helen worked at the former Marx Toys Factory, and part-time at the old Denman Theater in Girard, where she first met John Klier. After marrying John on February 20, 1954, at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Girard, she and John raised three daughters, while she worked alongside her husband on their produce farm, where they specialized in growing tomatoes. She enjoyed cooking, baking and canning for family and friends. Her specialties were homemade fruit pies, canned tomatoes, and strawberry jam. As her family expanded with grandchildren "Grandma Helen's" care packages were eagerly anticipated for birthdays and holidays, which included fresh produce from the farm. Her greatest priority in life was raising her children and providing a loving environment for her family. She loved playing cards, especially teaching her grandchildren to play 500 trump. She was very strategic when playing this card game and was a winner the majority of the time. However if she lost, she would say "it doesn't matter if I win or lose I always have fun".

Helen and her husband John were among the founding families of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fairview, where she was also a member of the Holy Rosary Society. During the early years of the parish, Helen was often called upon to assist the kitchen crew during church-sponsored dinners. For many years, she was selected to work at the Fairview Township Municipal Building voting polls. She was also a member of the Erie Maennerchor Club.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, John Klier; her sisters Eleanor Hrinda, Ann Knorr, Mary Pangratz, and Betty Schultz; and her brothers George, John, Michael, Daniel, Joseph, and infant brother Emil Hrinda.

Helen will be deeply missed by her daughters: Denise Krainski (Edmund) of Fairview, Suzanne Mills (James) of Cranesville, and Jane Patterson (Douglas) of Centerville, Ohio. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lauren Krainski (Jeff Kranking) of Seattle, WA; Jackie Morris (Andrew) of Springfield, VA; Dr. John Patterson, Ph.D., of Cleveland, OH; and Dr. Jenna Patterson, M.D. (Dr. William Wu, M.D.) of Grove City, OH. Her great-grandchildren include Camilla and Leo Krainski, Mason Morris, Vera Wu, and baby girl Morris, expected later this year. Helen is also survived by her sister Irene Wisniewski, as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Helen's caregivers, whose support made it possible for her to remain at home: Jodi, Tricina, Tonya, Chris, Kelli, Lauren, Amber, Amanda, and Janine.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to: Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7100 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, PA 16415 or Fairview Fire and Rescue, 7190 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, PA 16415.

Friends may call on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7100 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, PA 16415, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Words of Committal and burial will take place at St. John's Cemetery immediately following the Mass.