Helen T. Krauser

On May 25, 2017, our beloved mother, Helen Krauser, passed away peacefully with family by her side. Mom lived a long 92 years and will leave our family with so many great memories. She will forever be in our hearts.

Mom was born June 12, 1924, in Toledo, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Goldie (Holderman) Fetters. She grew up in Elkhart and lived a good part of her early years with her Grandma and Grandpa Holderman. She loved them so much and shared memories of them often. Mom was a 1942 graduate of Elkhart High School. She belonged to Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and took a few business courses throughout her life. She was skilled at bookkeeping and accounting (oh, and as a wife and mother too).

On June 21, 1947 mom married our dad, Bernie Krauser. They married in the Cathedral of St. Matthew, South Bend. They had 61 years together; mostly happy ones! In their early years, mom stayed home to raise three children, taking in various household jobs while our Dad worked as a salesman. Mom was a very hard worker, always keeping very busy. Mom could do almost anything, from painting the house to remodeling the bathroom. She was an amazing woman, and so smart, too!

After mom stayed home to care for her children, she wanted to return to work. Mom worked as an accountant at Associates Bancorp in South Bend and later at Doubleday Brothers in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mom and Dad moved to Kalamazoo in 1973 due to a better job opportunity for Dad. After 20 years in Kalamazoo, mom was all too happy to move back to the Mishawaka area. They moved back to live out their retirement years. Mom was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church and loved to watch the midnight Mass on EWTN.

Mom stayed very busy after retirement. She loved working her plastic canvas, making so many beautiful decorations. She made anything from ghosts for Halloween, Santa’s for Christmas and a beautiful praying Jesus. Mom also enjoyed cooking for her family gatherings and was a wonderful cook and housekeeper. Later on in years, she purchased a computer and that became her favorite hobby. She loved playing Solitaire and Pogo games.  Mom also enjoyed classic rock and roll. In her earlier years, before aching joints set in, she loved to dance.

Mom was preceded in death by our wonderful Dad, Bernie Krauser in 2008, and a very special son-in-law, Steve Vermilyea. Mom’s surviving family includes three children, Sheri Vermilyea of Tennessee, Becky Sciba of Mishawaka, and Brad (Ellen) Braydon of Mishawaka. Also surviving are six grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one on the way.

Our family would like to thank the Heartland Hospice staff for their wonderful care and attention to our mother. A special thank you goes to her caregivers for the last three months, son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Ellen Braydon. Your constant care and attention is appreciated beyond words. Thank you everyone.

Mom had failing eyesight for the last several years and lost total sight in November of 2016.  But she never lost sight of what was most important to her – her family. She loved her family most of all. Mom had several health issues, but seldom complained, always thinking of her family first. She was quite a remarkable and unselfish lady.

Services for Mom will be held on Tuesday, May 30, at 1:00 pm in Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street; Mishawaka.  Private burial will take place in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Heartland Hospice; 230 West Catalpa Drive, Suite D; Mishawaka, IN  46545.

We will miss you, our dear Mother, our friend.