Helen Gonzalez Obituary

Hi, my name is Melissa. You might know me as Missy because that is what Grandma always called me. I remember her sitting with the family and telling them how she helped raise me since I was 18 months old.

I loved the way she would tell stories about how I was so stubborn, or how I would fall off my bike and then get back on without any tears in my eyes. Or how she played the little lotto and used all her grandchildren’s birth dates. Sometimes she would win and when she did she would buy me a bingo card and a bag of hot chips.

I remember nights when I was little, I would sleep over and we would play cards non-stop. She would let me win all the time. And when I got older I found out that she did that just to put a smile on my face.

I remember when we would sit on the couch for hours working on a puzzle even though I would put the pieces in the wrong place, yet she always managed to tell me what a good job I was doing.

When we went to Mason City I remember me and my sister were playing in Uncle Danny’s Cadillac and we pressed something and the alarm went off. Uncle Danny started yelling at us and Grandma saw and said “Shut up Danny”. She always stuck up for us no matter what.

Grandma would watch Chuck Norris movies and she would tell me how that was her boyfriend. And I would tell her “No Grandma, he’s my boyfriend.” As I got older of course, I told her “Grandma, you can have him!”

Grandma lived for her family and she would spend summer days growing and picking tomatoes and peppers from her garden. She really cared about all of us. She brought joy to everyone who knew her. Her menudo, tamales, enchiladas were the best I ever ate. She was a loving person and always tried to make everyone around her happy. She made people laugh and had this special kindness in her. She will always be remembered, not just by her family, but by friends in her neighborhood.

She was a fighter. She tried to be as tough as she could to fight the cancer. She told me not to be afraid because she wasn’t. But deep down I knew she was and she didn’t want me to be.

Grandma was always there for me, no matter what, and I loved her for that!. Her last words of wisdom to me were written in a letter. She said that she loved me very much, and that life can be tough at times, but to just take it day by day. Which is exactly what Grandma did.

I love you Grandma and I will miss you.

To the Gonzalez Family,
We would like to express our deepest condolences at the loss of a very special person in your life. She showed nothing but kindness to us and included us as part of the family. We will never forget her wonderful warmth and, of course, the wonderful tamales. Thank you for sharing her with us for the short time we had. We know she will be deeply missed. And thank you to the family for all the wonderful memories. We have been blessed for knowing Helen.
You are in our prayers.
Ralph & Ann Koeb

My deepest sympathy... Helen's love and warmth lives on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You are all special and are in my prayers.

For a little while
We know what heartache is
And we feel the pain the world can sometimes bring
For a while
We cry in the night
Without a single song to sing
But one day all will change
There'll be no more stormy rain
Then at last we will rest forevermore

For a little while
You lose someone you love
And miss the times together that you shared
For a little while
You feel all alone and scared
But it won't last
It will pass in time

So if you're in the valley
And life is so unkind
And if the tears keep falling
From your tired eyes
If burdens seem so heavy
If it's hard to smile
Then just remember
It's only for a while

Love, Jeff

To the Gonzalez family - I have great memories of my godparents Leaky and Helen. Much sympathy and love during this difficult time.

To the Gonzalez Family,

Our deepest sympathy on your loss. My memories of Helen are of her warm and happy nature. She was always fun to talk with, had a kind word, and a contageous laugh. An Oh, her tamales!

May your memories of her comfort you at this time.

To the Gonzalez Family:
My deepest sympathy on your loss. "Ma" was a beautiful person. I will never forget her kindness & compassion, her laughter, her support, and of course her Chicken Soup! She was always there for me and the girls. I loved her dearly and I will truly miss her. My love to you all.

Dear Helen, you were always so sweet and funny to talk to, and I always enjoyed your food. May God Bless and welcome you,

love Jamie, Louise, Lauren & Sarah

"Fear not, for
God saw her getting tired
And a cure was not to be
So he put his arms around her
And Whispered, Come With me"
I hope the Wika family finds healing in God's embrace.

Mrs."G" from Deb and Mike Gazda
We will miss you. remembering you
at Caputo's with Leaky and other times we had the pleasure of being with your family.You will always be a favorite in our hearts.

We will miss our boat partner.


Love,
Chris Vetro & Mike Jakubosky