Helen Dunkes

Helen was born on Feb. 23, 1934, to Ralph and Dorothy (Nichols) Smith in Menasha, Wis. She spent most of her youth in Florence, graduating from Florence High School.

After graduation she ran a local restaurant, “Lee’s Lunch.” Helen devoted her time to her family raising her five children. After her children moved out of the house she started working for the Niagara post office, before finally retiring.

She loved anything to do with the water, swimming, boating, or even floating. Once she was in the water it was hard to get her back out. She also enjoyed scenic drives, the Green Bay Packers, but most of all she cherished her time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Jason (Lynn) Dunkes; daughters, Beverly Butterfield, Nina Bennett; brother, Patrick Smith; sister, Cynthia (Randy) Pilon; grandchildren, Randy (Aimee) Butterfield, Brandon Butterfield, Dalton Ursulean, Zachary Jacobs, Nathan Jacobs, Amanda (Evan) Dunkes, Britany (Elliot) Dunkes, Brianna (Gage) Dunkes, Sydney (Jordan) Dunkes, Wyatt Dunkes, and Owen Dunkes.

In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased in death by her sons, David Smith and Homer “Guy” Dunkes; brothers, Bradford Smith, Ralph “Truman” Smith, Wayne Smith, Michael Smith; sisters, lone, Dorothy Brazil, Therese Frederick, Mary Ashe, LaDonna Smith, and Veronica Frigo.

A visitation will be from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Niagara. A memorialservice will follow at 11 a.m.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes for Helen’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain to honor Helen’s legacy of life.