Helen Rue Polaski

Helen Rue Polaski, 99, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt "Peppi", and friend entered into eternal peace on November 8, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born February 19, 1926, to her adoring parents, Verna Rue and Russell Peck.

As a child, Helen had an enormous love of animals and all things in nature, spending precious time visiting relatives on the family farms. Her love of their horses, chickens, and kittens led to a lifetime filled with her own "pet family." She raised her children and grandchildren in a house filled with cats, dog, birds, hamsters, fish, turtles, and if any strays stopped on her doorstep, they were welcomed inside.

Spending her childhood in St. Joseph, she graduated from Central High School in 1943. She attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, then the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned her degree in Speech Therapy. While attending college, she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and cherished her life-long sisters. Following graduation, Helen returned to St. Joseph, where she developed the first Speech Therapy Program in the St. Joseph School District and was on the founding Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy of St. Joseph.

While attending college in Wisconsin, Helen met the love of her life, Roy Polaski, and married him in St. Joseph in 1950. She became involved in many organizations that were close to her heart, including Chapter EE PEO, Flower Society, the Methodist Hospital Auxiliary Board, The Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Association, and volunteering at the Noyes Home. She became a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Helen had a deep faith that carried her through her entire life. She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, which is where she found her strength, courage, and abiding faith.

Helen enjoyed a wide variety of activities and was always willing to learn a new talent. She was a gifted artist, dancer, piano player, crafter, and shopper. But above all else, she had a love of gardening and all things "flowers." Her gardens were explosions of colors and she could be found digging in the dirt with one hand and holding her Diet Rite in the other on any given day.

The greatest love of Helen's life was her family. She is survived by her children Lee Ann Polaski, Kathy Morrison (Tom), Steve Polaski (Joan), and Ryan Dowell of the home; grandchildren, Skyler Polaski (Jennifer), Kayla Fieser (Craig), Mason Polaski (Sarah), Kirby Polaski, Brennan Morrison (Chandra), Hunter Morrison (Catherine), Scott Morrison (Victoria), and Lindsey Polaski; great grandchildren, Jarek Polaski and Jaiden Davis, and Eilan and Indie Rue Fieser; numerous nieces and nephews.

Helen was also blessed to have "honorary" great grandchildren, the Egarta kids, Lauren, Lexi, Kerrigan, Noah, Ashlynn, Caleb, and Phelan and great-great grandchildren, Logan and Hank. She considered them to be born from her heart.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepmother, Neva Peck, daughter, Janet Dowell, grandson, Jason Dowell, and special friend Lloyd Mueller.

We wish to extend special love and thanks to her all of Beck Plaza Hair Salon and her hairstylist, Teri, whom she felt was a daughter to her. We also want to thank Joel and Kandi from Freudenthal Home Health for their loving care.

Although we will grieve her loss, we will rejoice knowing she is in the loving arms of her Savior. Helen's long and beautiful life was marked by kindness, laughter, and grace. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 22, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will gather with friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, November 21, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Friends of the Animal Shelter of St. Joseph or the Noyes Home for Children. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.