Obituary for Helen Dolores Graykoski
Helen Graykoski was born on August 26, 1921, to Bruno and Romanda (Kowalkoski) Sobolewski on the
family farm in North Ironwood, Michigan. Her birth was attended by the midwife, Mrs. Lee Lindquist.
Helen died on March 17, 2023, in her apartment at Dove Assisted Living in Barron, WI, lovingly attended
to by Dove’s staff, the Barron County A.R.D.C. care staff, and Mayo Clinic Hospice. She attained one
hundred-one years, six months, and twenty-two days of life.
She was united in Marriage to Felix J. Graykoski on June 12, 1943, with Catholic Chaplain Father George
Schumacker officiating. The marriage took place at the 376th Infantry Chapel in Camp Phillips, KS, with
Donald and Juanita Bonacci witnessing. After the War, they made their home in Ironwood, Michigan and
Aurora Minnesota. On September 9, 1949, their only son, John, was born.
Helen operated Helens’ Eat Shop in Ironwood in the 1940s.
She was active in the community and the Church. She was the first cub scout Den Mother at the
Newport School. She was involved in the Newport School Parent-Teacher Association. She presided over
the Altar Society at St. Michael’s Church and went on to serve on the Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women.
She was, with her husband, and others, a founding member of the St. Vincent De Paul conference at St.
Michael’s Church in Ironwood. She opened and managed the first St. Vincent de Paul Store in
Ironwood for 18 years. She served as president of the Conference. She and others worked diligently to
fulfill the Vincentian mission of helping those in need. In 1995 she was presented with the Ozanam
Medallion by the Society for “her contribution of an outstanding nature and exemplary service” to the
Society. She also received the “Top Hat” award for her leadership in the organization.
Felix preceded her in death at age 84 on November 22, 1997.
She survived all her siblings, including Stella Brady, Josephine Makinen (Reino), and brothers, John
(Evelyn), Steve (Madelyn), Jerry, Anthony (Millie), Lawrence (Judy), and three infant brothers;
She is survived by her son, John (Christopher); special “guardian angel” Glen Edberg; and numerous nieces; and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, Michigan, on August 5,
2023 at 11:00 am. Mass of the Resurrection will be concelebrated by Father Brian Gerber, pastor and
Father Ed Fassett, S.J., a close friend of the family. A luncheon will be provided by Rigoni’s Catering in
the Church basement following Mass. Her cremated remains will be placed in a hand-made wooden
urn made by the Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey, Peosta, IA.
A private burial in the family plot will take place at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Helen's legacy of life.
family farm in North Ironwood, Michigan. Her birth was attended by the midwife, Mrs. Lee Lindquist.
Helen died on March 17, 2023, in her apartment at Dove Assisted Living in Barron, WI, lovingly attended
to by Dove’s staff, the Barron County A.R.D.C. care staff, and Mayo Clinic Hospice. She attained one
hundred-one years, six months, and twenty-two days of life.
She was united in Marriage to Felix J. Graykoski on June 12, 1943, with Catholic Chaplain Father George
Schumacker officiating. The marriage took place at the 376th Infantry Chapel in Camp Phillips, KS, with
Donald and Juanita Bonacci witnessing. After the War, they made their home in Ironwood, Michigan and
Aurora Minnesota. On September 9, 1949, their only son, John, was born.
Helen operated Helens’ Eat Shop in Ironwood in the 1940s.
She was active in the community and the Church. She was the first cub scout Den Mother at the
Newport School. She was involved in the Newport School Parent-Teacher Association. She presided over
the Altar Society at St. Michael’s Church and went on to serve on the Diocesan Council of Catholic
Women.
She was, with her husband, and others, a founding member of the St. Vincent De Paul conference at St.
Michael’s Church in Ironwood. She opened and managed the first St. Vincent de Paul Store in
Ironwood for 18 years. She served as president of the Conference. She and others worked diligently to
fulfill the Vincentian mission of helping those in need. In 1995 she was presented with the Ozanam
Medallion by the Society for “her contribution of an outstanding nature and exemplary service” to the
Society. She also received the “Top Hat” award for her leadership in the organization.
Felix preceded her in death at age 84 on November 22, 1997.
She survived all her siblings, including Stella Brady, Josephine Makinen (Reino), and brothers, John
(Evelyn), Steve (Madelyn), Jerry, Anthony (Millie), Lawrence (Judy), and three infant brothers;
She is survived by her son, John (Christopher); special “guardian angel” Glen Edberg; and numerous nieces; and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, Michigan, on August 5,
2023 at 11:00 am. Mass of the Resurrection will be concelebrated by Father Brian Gerber, pastor and
Father Ed Fassett, S.J., a close friend of the family. A luncheon will be provided by Rigoni’s Catering in
the Church basement following Mass. Her cremated remains will be placed in a hand-made wooden
urn made by the Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey, Peosta, IA.
A private burial in the family plot will take place at Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Helen's legacy of life.