Helen Peach, 88, La Crosse, died Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at Hays Med, Hays.
Born July 28, 1933 in La Crosse, Kansas, she was the daughter of Frank and Helen (Hamrdla) Spicka of Timken. She was a lifelong resident of Rush County.
After graduation from La Crosse Rural High School in 1951, Helen worked at several jobs in La Crosse until she married Donald Peach of La Crosse, shortly after his release from the U.S. Army and his service in Korea.
Helen and Don married on April 14, 1953, in La Crosse. They lived their entire 66 years of marriage together in La Crosse until Don’s death on Jan. 31, 2020. Helen and Don enjoyed camping, traveling, and time with their family. Don and Helen built and opened Peach Body Shop in 1960. Helen was the bookkeeper for Peach Body Shop, Peach Auto Salvage, and later for Mike’s Auto Glass.
Helen was active raising their children, attending sporting/music events, and their school activities. For many years, Helen was active with the Band Mothers for grade school and high school. She was also an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothing for herself, children and grandchildren. After her children graduated from high school, she continued to alter band uniforms for the La Crosse High School and grade schools’ bands. In later years, she was on the staff of Friendship Meals of Rush County. Through the years, Helen also provided childcare for her grandchildren and a few children of friends.
Helen was a selfless caregiver. When her son, Ron, was injured in an explosion, Helen and Don cared for Ron in their home during his six-month recovery. Later, when her daughter-in-law, Susan, was injured in a bicycle accident, Helen and Don helped to provide care for their 14-month old twin grandsons and Susan. In her later years, Helen was devoted to caring for her husband in his last years of life.
Survivors include one daughter, Helen Petrik, and her husband, Charles Petrik, Manhattan, Kan.; three sons, Don Peach, and his wife, Susan Collins Peach, Elbert, Colo., Ron Peach, Manhattan, Kan., and Mike Peach, and his wife, Mary Beth Peach, La Crosse; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Neoma Kreutzer (Jerry), La Crosse.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, and her parents.
There will be no visitation.
A private family service will be held at La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse. Memorials are suggested to Hays Med Progressive Care Unit or Hays Med Hospice.
Condolences and remembrances may be left for the family at www.charterfunerals.com/locations/janousek-lacrosse.php.
Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine St., PO Box 550, La Crosse, KS, 67548, 785-222-2517.