Helen A. Pierquet, 92, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on August 2, 2019. She was born in Green Bay on October 28, 1926, the 8th child of Leo and Louise (Netols) Kwaterski. There were 13 children which her parents named alphabetically from A through M.
Helen graduated from St Mary of the Angels Grade School in 1940 and Green Bay East High School in 1944. She married Cletus A. Pierquet on May 28, 1949 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church. Together they raised 9 children and celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Helen had a passion for sharing her blessings. She belonged to the St Vincent’s Auxiliary and volunteered there for many years. She also volunteered at Howe and Morgan Martin elementary schools, helping the children with their reading. She supported many charities, some of them being the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Smile Train, St Bernard’s Parish and it’s Love Life program and food pantry.
For the past 7 years she has lived as an independent resident at Bellevue Retirement Community. She loved to join her friends for one of the many activities offered throughout the week. Her favorites were playing Sheepshead, Cribbage, Bocce Ball, Wii bowling and dice.
Helen is survived by her 9 children: Richard Pierquet (Mary Gibson); Mary (Paul) Farley; Tom (Vickie) Pierquet; Judi (Paul) Anderle; Sue (Tom) Hermsen; Laura Felchlin; Patti (Duane) Rollin; Louanne (Pete) Jensen and Beckie (David) Crisman.
Her grandchildren: Michelle (Matt) Hohner, Jeffrey (Megan) Pierquet, and John (Heather) Mills; Sarah (Andreas) Kaltsounis, Seann (Nicole) Farley, Maureen (Quincy) Byrne; Jeremy (Danyelle) Pierquet, Brandon (Brienne) Pierquet, Jessica (Matt) Theiss, Bryant (Cortney) Gerbers, Stephanie Sheldon; Erin (Kevin) Zimmer, Kristin (Ryan) Lillie, Ryan Anderle, Alison (Jim) Douville; Abbie (Daniel) Nadolny, Adam (Liz) Hermsen, Kellie (Michael) Fraser, Kevin Hermsen, Justin Box; Luke (Kristina) Felchlin, Carlie (Matt) Peterson, Brent (Allison) Felchlin, Tyler (Liz) Felchlin; Jonathon (Becky) Dzekute, Katherine (Brett) Bond, Jennifer (Nathan) VandeHey; Benjamin (Amichi) Jensen, Zachary (Kayla) Jensen, Nicholas (Sabrina) Jensen; Elliot Crisman, Joshua Crisman.
Helen’s greatest pride and joy were her 51 great-grandchildren: Liam, Michael, Eleanor, Coy, Josie, Ami, Hayley, Kael, Gavin, Owen, Anna, Kaitlyn, Julia, Alexander, Kasen, Caroline, Grayson, Easton, Eiley, Ben, Jack, Charlotte, Cole, Isabelle, Lauren, Cullen, Paxton, Eli, Logan, Elora, Gavin, Heather, Maximus, Amariya, Spencer, Evelyn, Jack, Mikaela, Jayce, Alexis, Skylar, Delaney, Xander, Anneliese, Luke, Emilia, Xavier, Rhema, Rowan, Camden and Genevieve. Helen is also survived by her brother, Dr. Mitchell (Carol) Kwaterski; her sister, Sr. Louise Kwaterski; brothers-in-law, Herman VanBeckum, Jerome Pierquet; sisters-in-law, Nancy Kwaterski, Shirley Morgan, Katie LaLuzerne, Loreen Cumber and many nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Cletus Pierquet, granddaughter, Katie Hermsen; son-in-law Larry Felchlin; daughter-in-law, Pamela Pierquet, and her siblings: Agnes Nielsen, Beatrice Kwaterski, Celestine (Sally) Bickel, Dominic Kwaterski, Edmund Kwaterski, Felicia (Fuzzy) VanBeckum, Genevieve (Geno) Hoepfner, Isidore Kwaterski, John Kwaterski, Kathleen (Kitty) Hujet; 7 sisters-in-law and 11 brothers-in-law.
Friends may call at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E Mason St from 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 13, with a prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation continues on Wednesday at St Bernard Catholic Church, 2040 Hillside Lane after 9:00am until Mass. Funeral Mass at 11:00 am with Rev. Mark VanderSteeg officiating. Entombment at Nicolet Memorial Gardens. In lieu of floral expressions, a memorial fund has been established for Helen’s many charities. Online condolences may be sent to Helen’s family at www.prokowall.com.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Jesusa Andres-Palines, the Unity Hospice staff, (especially granddaughter Michelle Pierquet-Hohner for coordinating the hospice care), Helen’s “Mass and McDonald’s ladies” and her dear friend Carol Klenke, for their love, care, support and friendship. Mom knew that she was very blessed!