Helen Pickart

Helen Travnicek-Pickart (1925-2025)
Helen was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on November 24, 1925 to Josephine and Stanley Travnicek Sr. and passed away on Sunday October 5, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Helen went to Hayes Elementary across the street from her home in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Wilson High School in 1944. She was active at the Sokol Czech school with her many friends. She also worked at her father's shoe repair business (Champion) downtown and later worked at Quaker Oats during World War II. It was there that she met her future husband, Joe Pickart.
They married on October 1, 1949 in Cedar Rapids. In the mid 1950's, they moved to Coralville, Iowa where they opened a mattress manufacturing business. Joe played in local bands and Helen enjoyed bowling while raising 3 children.
In 1967, they left Iowa and moved to Arizona where she lived for close to 60 years. During that time Joe and Helen enjoyed traveling the state of Arizona with family and friends. She also enjoyed bingo and crafts through her church (St. Daniels), puzzles, crossword puzzles and her pug Lena.
Helen's viewing will be at Messinger Mortuary in Scottsdale on Sunday October 26, 2025 from 3 to 5pm. The funeral will be held the next day at Saint Daniels Catholic Church at 10am. There will be a reception from 11 to 2pm at Messinger Mortuary.
Helen is survived by her three children Tom, Jerry (Gail Haygood) and Debbie (Maxy Burgess) along with many nieces and nephews.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Joe, her parents, her brother Stanley Jr, and many brothers and sisters-in-laws.
Memorial donations can be made to: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.