Faltis, Helen Antonette (Michalek)

Helen Antonette (Michalek) Faltis was born on a farm east of Bertram, Iowa, on June 7, 1920, on her sister Martha Janko's 5th birthday. She attended White school nearby. She became a member of Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1932 and was a member of the Hus Quilting Circle. Helen was very fond of growing and raising flowers. She was known in her neighborhood as the “lady” with the beautiful flowers and garden.

On Aug. 19, 1941, she married William J. Faltis at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church. Together they farmed on 76th Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, until the airport expansion. They moved to Fairfax and then to Country Air Court for about 15 years. They currently resided in Cedar Rapids.

Helen's survivors include her husband, William J. Faltis of Cedar Rapids; three children, W. David (Chrystal) of Swisher, Dennis Joseph (Bridget) of Elkhorn, Wis., and Joyce Ann Faltis-Serenil of Omaha, Neb. Also surviving are two grandsons, Matt and Brian Faltis; three granddaughters, Amy (Patrick) Venetucci, Cassie Faltis and Alexandra Faltis; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Janko of Cedar Rapids; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend of the family, Mary Drake.

Helen passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Nemecek Michalek; her sister, Ruth Vosatka; and son-in-law, Leonardo Serenil.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, temporarily located at 3100 F Ave. NW. Burial to follow in Czech National Cemetery. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like to thank Dr. William Fusselman and the staff at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their care and kindness shown to the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at