Helen Smeester

KINGSFORD - Helen A. Smeester, 80, of Riverhills Road, Kingsford, died Saturday, June 17, 2006, at her home with her family at her side. She was born Sept. 5, 1925, in Kingsford, daughter of the late Anton and Mary (Rodman) Bucan. She was a lifelong resident of this area and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1943. After graduating, she worked in Ypsilanti at a World War II bomber plant for a short period. When she returned to the U.P., she married Joseph Blagec on June 14, 1947. Helen had worked at Liberty Loan and then for the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Credit Union for 25 years before retiring. On Dec. 29, 1978, she married Basil Smeester Sr. The couple had wintered in Las Vegas for the past 12 years. Helen was a member of American Martyrs Church and a former member of St. Veronica's Circle. She sang with a group called Smile Awhile and performed at various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Helen was very dedicated to her family and friends and enjoyed baking for everyone. She loved to golf, was dedicated to the Class of 1943, and belonged to a neighborhood Bible study. She is survived by her husband, Basil Sr.; four children, Barbara (Mark) Willman of Hoffman Estates, Ill. and Spread Eagle, Stephen (Hope) Blagec of Iron Mountain, Nicholas (Susan) Blagec of Kingsford, and Betsy (Patrick) Shrift of DePere, Wis.; one stepson, Basil Smeester Jr. of Green Lake, Wis.; three sisters, Mary Carlson of Owosso, lower Michigan, Agnes Lindstrom of Kingsford, and Veronica Greenleaf of Iron Mountain; one brother, Anton Bucan of Romeo, lower Michigan; nine grandchildren, Dane Willman, Brett (Anna) Willman, Tracy Blagec, Tara Blagec, Trinity Blagec, Sarah Blagec, Brad (Debby) Steeno, Brooke (John) Brodersen, and Kimberly Wittock; three step-grandchildren, Chad Smeester, Leanna (Jeff) Lindquist, and Brandon Smeester; eight great-grandchildren, Connar, Annika, Tessa, Brandon, Austin, Amanda, John and Tyler; many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Mike, Emil, and Joseph Bucan, one sister, Ann Wroblewski, and by one great-granddaughter, Katelyn Blagec. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Parish prayers will be recited at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the funeral home followed by a moment of special family tributes. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday on 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home and 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Entombment will take place at Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit-Loan Closet, 1401 Carpenter Ave., Iron Mountain, MI. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Helen Smeester online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Helen Smeester

June 17, 1926 - June 17, 2006