Helen Cross

HELEN MILADY CROSS

Swisher

Helen Milady Cross, 85, of Swisher, died Sunday, June 19, 2016. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, where there will be a 1:45 p.m. rosary. Private family inurnment will be in Shueyville Cemetery.

Helen was born April 24, 1931, in rural Shueyville, the daughter of Fred and Della (Rozek) Novotny. She graduated from St. Wenceslaus High School with the class of 1949. Helen started her teaching career at Jefferson No. 5 and 6 one-room schools, where she served in all capacities. She then went on to teach at St. Wenceslaus School and later worked at Prairie schools, retiring in 1993. She waitressed at Ranch Supper Club in Cou Falls for many years. Helen was an active member of St. Wenceslaus, as well as volunteering with numerous local organizations. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, being Babi and spending time with her family.

Helen is survived by her children, Anna (Terry) Warren of Jonesboro, Ark., Rita (Ed) Porter of Center Point, Vince (Sonja) Cross of Cedar Rapids, Paul Cross of Cedar Rapids and Dan (Julie) Cross of Shueyville; 11 grandchildren, Shane (Valerie) Cross, Justin Porter, Adam Naughton, James Porter, Jeramiah Cross, Clay Cross, Jacob Witcombe, Clint Cross, Ivan Cross, Maria Cross and Jackson Cross; two great-grandchildren, Kaelyn Cross and Nolan Cross; as well as her nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Mark Cross; and her siblings, Joe (Pauline) Novotny, Mary Rose (Elmer) Sedlacek and Sr. Genevieve Novotny.

Memorials may be directed to Covenant House Toronto, 20 Gerrard St. East, Toronto, Canada M5B2P3 in her name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.