Helen D. Ponczoch

Helen Dorothy (Rybicki) Ponczoch, age 98, of Wisconsin Rapids died Saturday October 22, 2022. Helen was in her beloved restaurant with family at the time of her passing and was blessed to have received many visits and calls from other loving family members and friends during the days prior.
Helen was born on May 27, 1924, in Rudolph WI, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kobza) Rybicki. She grew up in Rudolph, WI and attended St. Philip's Catholic School. She married Melvin Ponczoch September 29, 1942, at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Rudolph, WI. A marriage that would withstand hardships and loss, but that would build a legacy that most would admire. She had a partnership with her husband that focused on hard work and family. Helen, along with her husband, used that work ethic to own and operate the Red Ball Café and then the Fine Lunch Café which was later renamed, by Helen, The Little Pink Restaurant. This Little Pink Restaurant is where Helen touched the lives of so many. Helen spent a great deal of time building this restaurant into a place people could come for great homemade food and company. She loved her customers and seeing them well fed and happy. She used her spunky personality to build relationships that outlasted the restaurants operation. After the restaurant closed in 2008, Helen didn't stop baking and sharing her talents. She was often seen with her daughter, Jane, baking bread, dinner rolls, Cinnamon rolls, pies, or making soups to donate to local organizations or for special orders. She loved to donate the fruits of her talents and did so for many years. Some recipients included Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish, Wolosek's Halloween Aid Benefit, Empty Bowls- Hunger Benefit, South Wood County Humane Society, other Parish's fundraisers and bake sales, and many other benefits to help community members and family. If she saw a need big or small, she was happy to help.
After the restaurant closed, Helen's pace of life should have slowed, but to slow Helen down would prove to be difficult. In her retirement, she chose to spend most of her time in her restaurant as that was truly "home" to her. Beside continuing to bake, she loved to support other local restaurant and enjoyed a nice dinner out. She also loved to visit with family and friends, through her hard work she fostered relationships that she treasured. She even had a sign made for the restaurant window so visitors knew she was available for one of her lovely chats. She would spend many hours playing cards with her dear friends and her family. When not entertaining guests or winning a game of Canasta, she could be seen peacefully rocking in her recliner watching the wildlife from her window. One of Helens greatest loves and best talents was gathering people together. She had a personality that drew people in. Friends and family would come from near and far to spend time with her. Many large family gatherings were held by Helen. Family and friends will certainly remember the restaurant door was always open on Saturdays to visit and share a lunch provided by Helen. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren grew up through those Saturday afternoons with "Grandma Pink."
Helens greatest work was not in her restaurant however, it was in the building of her family. While Melvin did precede Helen in death on December 6, 2010, at the age of 95, they did have 3 sons and 2 daughters. Joseph Ponczoch sadly died in 1964 at the age of 21 while on leave from the Military. Their second son James (Debra) Ponczoch 1944-2018 proceeded Helen in death, but Helen is survived by James' 5 children and 13 grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her third son John (Virginia) Ponczoch of Appleton WI and his 12 children, 36 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, Daughter Patricia (Joe) Kozicki of Wisconsin Rapids and her 6 children and 19 grandchildren, daughter Jane (the late Fred) Stublaski and her 5 children and 25 grandchildren. Helens love for family resulted in those 5 children, 28 grandchildren, 93 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. All of which she loved dearly and would light up when they entered the room. She loved to dote on her family and hear all about their accomplishments, hang up their hand-made crafts, display their gifts, and satisfy their sweet tooth with an ever-filled counter full of candies and cookies.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary Moscinski, Theresa Mancl and brothers Alois Rybicki, Sylvesetr Rybicki, and Edmond Rybicki. A son in law, a great grandchild, and many other family and friends proving a great reunion was had upon her being called Home to the Lord.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Alan Guanella will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 4:00-6:30 PM Friday, October 28, 2022, at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids with a parish rosary held at 6:30 PM. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 AM until the time of service Saturday at the church.