Helen J. Kerska

Helen J. Kerska, age 98, of La Crosse, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Morrow Home Community in Sparta, WI. She was a strong, devoted, and hard working person throughout her entire life. Helen graduated from Logan High School in 1942 as the class president. Immediately following graduation, she started working as a legal secretary. Her career spanned over 40 years working for a prominent law firm in La Crosse including Judge Robert Joanis. In 1943, she married William Kerska in a ceremony at a La Crosse hospital where the minister was a patient. They were married for 60 years. Together, Helen and William raised seven children: Dave, Diane, Nancy, Joann, Steve, Gary, and Dennis.

Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother. She possessed a unique sense of humor and was an avid reader. Helen enjoyed working with her hands, from cross stitch to knitting, and she was a talented seamstress. She loved solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles.

Helen is survived by her 7 children, Dave (Pat) Kerska, Diane Kerska, Nancy (Bob) Schumaker, Joann (Mike) Larson, Steve (Deb) Kerska, Gary (Kathy) Kerska, and Dennis (Peggy) Kerska; 16 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, William; parents, John and Cornelia (Miller) Oliver; infant son, Ronald Kerska; and brother, Gordon (Jeanne) Oliver.

The Kerska family would like to give a special thank you to the Gundersen Health System Hospice team, and the staffs at Morrow Home Community and Salem Terrace. They also want to thank Dee Thompson for her close friendship with Helen.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 6, 2023, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse with visitation being held from 10:00 am until the time of services. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in La Crosse. Helen's nephew, Pastor John Oliver, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and can be directed to the Gundersen Health System Hospice fund, https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=db56ee90-1159-49d4-bc3e-d0ed04f3a658&envid=p-c68_KLufHkiEMKmXEVOJbw&zone=usa