March 5, 1932 – January 6, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our cherished Helena (Haponik) Wojciechowicz. Helena passed away peacefully at Hospice House on January 6, 2026. Helena was born on March 5, 1932, in Pinsk, Poland, to Alexander and Sophia (Richter) Haponik. She lived a full and interesting life.
Helena was only seven years old when German forces invaded Poland from the west, which prompted Russia to invade from the east. World War II had begun. Helena’s family was caught between the two opposing sides and bore the brunt of both military forces. Life was very challenging as her family tried to navigate staying alive under extreme duress. Less than four years into the war, German forces took Helena and her family into Germany. For almost two years, her family lived in a labor camp with many other displaced persons (DPs). All of her family members were assigned jobs and were treated very poorly. When the war finally ended in 1945, the family was transported to various camps throughout Germany. Even though Helena and her family had no permanent home, she met many wonderful friends during those post-war years, and she learned to speak Russian, German, and some Lithuanian.
In February 1950, with help from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) and Polonia (a Polish organization headquartered in Chicago), her sister Irene, Grandmother Paulina, father, mother, and Helena travelled on the USS General Sturgis from Germany to New York City to begin a new life in the United States. Helena and many others were often seasick and wondered if they would ever make it. They finally made land on February 22, 1950, after 14 days on the ocean. The next day, they took a train to Chicago, Illinois, where they were met by Helena’s uncle, Herman Richter, his son Royce Richter (Helena’s first cousin), his wife Blanche, and Helena’s brother Paul, who had arrived in the USA earlier and who was also sponsored by the Richters.
The kindness and generosity that the Richter family showed to the Haponik family cannot be overstated. Royce and his family helped Helena and her family secure jobs, housing, transportation, and helped them learn English.
Helena lived in Waukegan, Illinois, for a year and then in North Chicago, Illinois, for two more years. She then met her future husband, John (who, in November 1950, also came to the United States from Poland on the USS General Sturgis), and they married and settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Helena and John raised three children (Janine, Steve, and Len) in Kenosha. Helena held several jobs in Illinois before landing a job as a salad and prep cook at St. Catherine’s Hospital in Kenosha, where she worked for nine years, followed by 16 years on “the line” at American Motors/Chrysler. After the plant closed, Helena still continued to work for 21 more years. She loved to cook, so she worked at several restaurants in Kenosha until finally concentrating on helping care for her grandchildren.
Helena loved to travel. She and John took their children to Wyoming, Washington, DC, Long Island, Mackinaw Island, and many camping trips with Royce and Blanche to Hayward, Wisconsin. After the children had grown, Helena and John visited their homeland twice, as well as Italy, Australia, Hawaii, and took several Caribbean cruises. Helena and John also truly enjoyed their vacation place in Wisconsin Dells for many years and where many family memories were made.
Helena also greatly loved entertaining others, cooking guests’ meals that were fit for a king, and being with her growing family. If you came to eat at the Wojciechowicz house, you knew that you would need to wear your stretchy pants. Helena also always sent leftovers home for everyone so they would have several more meals. She loved spoiling her grandchildren with any dish that she could cook for them and desserts galore. Because her childhood in Germany was filled with so much food insecurity, she was obsessed with making sure hunger was never an issue. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with a passion that was extraordinary.
More than anything else, Helena loved her sister Irene. They called each other on the “hot line” every day, often every few hours. Helena and Irene grew up together through hardship in Europe and made a happy life for their families in a new land. They enjoyed each other as much as two siblings ever have. Helena and Irene even married two brothers, so their two families have always been extremely close.
Helena was preceded in death by her parents, Alexander and Sophia, husband John, brothers George (who was killed serving in the Polish army during WWII), Michael, and Paul, and sisters Anuta and Veronika.
Helena is survived by her children, Janine (Greg) Powers, Steve (Diane) Wojciechowicz, and Len (Laura) Wojciechowicz. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Susie (Tim) Bloemers, Don (Jimin) Karolewicz, Andrew (Adrienne) Wojciechowicz, Alexa (Efrain) Cano, Tyler (Kamila) Wojciechowicz, and Christopher Wojciechowicz. Helena is survived by eight great-grandchildren: Porter, Lakelee, Mireille, Casel, Camryn, Ella, Remy, and Emilia. Helena is also survived by her sister Irene Wojciechowicz, sister-in-law Dolores Wojciechowicz, and many special nieces and nephews.
Helena’s family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff at Brookside Care Center, Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, and Hospice House for their compassionate care of Helena and the kindness extended to the entire family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Visitation
DATE:
January 16, 2026, at 9:00 am
LOCATION:
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
https://www.kenoshafuneralhome.com
Funeral Service
DATE:
January 16, 2026, at 10:30 am
LOCATION:
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
https://www.kenoshafuneralhome.com
Graveside Service
DATE:
January 16, 2026, at 12:15 pm
LOCATION:
Green Ridge Cemetery
6604 7th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53143
