Helen Marie (Wellensiek) Hupka

Helen Marie Hupka was born to Arnold and Ella (Huhold) Wellensiek, Sr. on October 2, 1924 at Cook, Nebraska.  She attended rural elementary school through the eighth grade and graduated from Cook High School. 

She was united in marriage to Clarence E. Hupka on October 17, 1946 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Mary, Nebraska.  This union was blessed with four sons, Michael “Mick”, James “Jim”, Randy and Robert “Bob”.

Clarence and Helen lived on the farm near Cook where they farmed for 40 years.  They moved into Cook in 1992.  Clarence and Helen enjoyed square dancing for many years.  Helen was a homemaker and loved gardening, canning and was an excellent seamstress.   She was a wonderful cook and her family favorites were her fried chicken, graham cracker pudding dessert and homemade bread, noodles and cinnamon rolls.  No one that came to visit ever left hungry!  In her later years, Helen loved attending her grandchildren’s activities and spending time with her great-grandchildren. 

She was a member of the St. Andrew Altar Society for many years, assisting with making kolaches, funeral luncheons and Knights of Columbus fish suppers along with Clarence.  Helen also served on election day for many years at Cook. Clarence passed away October 29, 2017.  Helen continued to live in her home in Cook until moving to the Good Samaritan Center in Syracuse in March where she passed away on November 18, 2023 at the age of 99 years.

Helen is survived by her sons Michael Hupka and wife Marlene of Minot, ND, James Hupka and wife Lorrie of Olathe, KS and Randy Hupka of Cook, grandchildren, Jeff and Carey Hupka, Josh Hupka, Rhonda and Duane Beadle, Sheila and Lance Racine, Melissa Mosser, Lindsey and Brent Fast, Katie and Matthew McAuliffe and Kellie Hupka, 15 great-grandchildren,1 great-great-grandson and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Clarence, son Robert “Bob”, brother Arnold Wellensiek and wife Marie, brother-in-law and sisters-in law Joseph and Geraldine Hupka and Janis Sobotta.

Mass of Christian Burial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2023 at the St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Father Christopher Kubat officiating. The service was also livestreamed on the Wherry Mortuary Facebook page for those unable to attend.  A link to the livestream is now available on the bottom of Helen's webpage.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 24, 2023 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.  Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may go to the family’s choice.

Interment will be in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

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