Helen P. Walko Ivoska, 95, died peacefully Sunday, March 22, 2015 in Punxsutawney. Formerly of DuBois, she had resided at Mahoning Riverside Manor in Punxsutawney since 2013.
She was born Oct. 23, 1919 in Stanley, the daughter of the late John and Teckla (Zeych) Siemucha.
She was married to the late Andrew Walko. She was lovingly devoted to him until his death Nov. 21, 1968.
She retired in 1980 as an employee of Rockwell International Manufacturing, working in Sykesville and DuBois; that is where she met Vincent Ivoska and they married on Oct. 20, 1973. They were happily married until his death Oct. 6, 1997.
She was a devout member of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in DuBois.
She unselfishly volunteered her time to help and comfort others. She was a Eucharistic minister at the DuBois Regional Medical Center. She was a member of the following organizations: DRMC West Ladies Auxiliary, Lithuanian Club Ladies Auxiliary, Christ the King Auxiliary and Knights of Lithuanian Council 86.
She was an extraordinary baker and hostess and her cookies and hospitality will be greatly missed.
She is survived by one son, David R. Walko and his wife, Sandy and a brother, Leo Siemucha, all of Punxsutawney. Also surviving are her step-children, Fred Ivoska and his wife, Judy of Zanesville, Ohio, Rona Crytzer and her husband, Ted of DuBois and Wally Ivoska and his wife, Janet of Brockway; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Walko; her grandson, Andy Walko; her daughter-in-law, Fran (Lyons) Walko; six brothers; and two sisters.
She will be fondly remembered and missed by all whose lives she touched. She was always willing to help others, rarely complained and had a positive and realistic outlook on life.
Among so many things, she will be remembered for her contagious smile, sense of humor, grace and energy as a polka dancer and her “done to perfection” baked goods and Polish delicacies.
Friends will be received from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday at the Goble-Baronick Funeral Home Inc.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Dan Kresinski as celebrant.
Burial will follow in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery, Sykesville.
Memorials may be place with St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 25 Robinson St., DuBois, PA 15801.
Online condolences may be made to www.gbfuneralhome.com.