Helen Elona Zolka

  Noted events in her life were:

• Obituary. Helen Elona (Zolko) Parker entered Life Eternal on her 92nd birthday, Sept. 19, 2011, while at home in the township of Port Edwards, her husband and children by her side. Helen was born in 1919 in Bayonne, New Jersey, to John and Anna (Buthosky) Zolko, the seventh of 13 children.

Helen grew up on her parents' farm in upstate New York near the town of South Bethlehem. She attended grammar school in South Bethlehem and high school in nearby Ravena. During Helen's early adulthood, she moved to New York City where she worked as a governess and later worked for Western Electric building communications equipment for the war effort.

Helen joined Calvary Baptist Church in Manhattan where she grew in her hunger for God's Word and commitment to her God and Savior, Jesus Christ. For several years, Helen enjoyed serving the Lord by singing in the Calvary Baptist Church choir. During World War II, Helen served in the church's "Canteen" ministry - where servicemen on leave in NYC found escape from the rigors of war with food, fellowship, and encouragement in the Word of God. It was at one of these Canteen events that Helen met her future husband, Coast Guard second class petty officer, Fred E. Parker.

After the war, on Sept. 7, 1946, Helen and Fred were married at the Methodist Church in South Bethlehem, N.Y., and began their 65 years of marriage. The fruit of their love and marriage includes two daughters, Joan (David) Aaseng and Janice Parker; along with two sons, Don (Sharon) Parker and Fred (Kathy) Parker Jr.

Helen loved and selflessly cared for her family, and regularly prayed for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, canning, fishing, swimming, and camping with her husband and children. For over 60 years, Helen prepared meals for family, friends, pastors, missionaries, neighbors; her husband, of course, being most thankful of all.

Helen is survived by her loving husband, Fred, a faithful life partner who gave extra special care and attention in her latter years. Additionally surviving, embracing, and advancing her spiritual legacy are her four children, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Helen in her journey to heaven are her parents, John and Anna Zolko; four brothers, Frankie, John Jr., Andrew, and Alfred; and six sisters, Anna (infant), Mary Ann, Elsie, Anna, and Rosemary. Surviving siblings are Agnes Doberstein of Chapel Hill, N.C., Harriett Zolko of South Bethlehem, N.Y., and Joan Joslin of Voorheesville, N.Y.

Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home. The service celebrating Helen's life will be Saturday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, Wisconsin Rapids; with visitation from 10 a.m. until time of services. Burial will be in the Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Helen married Frederick Earl Parker, son of Edgar Martin Parker and Grace May Hancock. (Frederick Earl Parker was born on 22 Sep 1922 and was buried in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Restlawn Memorial Park.)