Helen R. McVicar

Helen R. McVicar, age 85, of Waunakee, died peacefully at home under hospice care on Saturday November 22, 2025. She was born at home in Westport, WI on October 13, 1940, to Frank and Henrietta (Stejskal) Poulik. She graduated from Waunakee High School in 1958 and attended nursing school at Madison Vocational Technical and Adult School, graduating as an LPN in 1963.

While in training at Central Wisconsin Center, Helen saw a man walk by the door and she knew instantly that she was going to marry him. On May 2,1964 her prediction came true as she married the love of her life and best friend, Richard “Dick” McVicar. Together they resided in Waunakee where they raised their three children and served the community in scouting and as volunteer EMTs and CPR instructors. Helen retired from Waunakee EMS in 2017 after 30 years as an EMT. She was also a skills instructor for the EMS program at MATC for many years. She retired from nursing at CWC in 2006. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee where she taught Sunday School for several years and served as a Deacon.

Helen enjoyed traveling with many trips abroad. She loved gardening and knitting – you rarely saw her anywhere without knitting needles and yarn. She was known for her pies, homemade candy at Christmas and her entertaining jokes and stories. She was an amazing Babu to her grandchildren and great-grandson and cherished the special times she spent with each of them.

Helen is survived by her children Anne Acker, Richard (Laurel Losenegger) McVicar and Stuart (Krista) McVicar; grandchildren Amanda (Joe) Gangler, Danielle Acker and Butch McVicar and great grandson Jordy Gangler; sister Margaret (Stanley) Muzatko; sister-in-law Charlotte Larsen; several nieces and nephews; her wonderful neighbors that she considered family - Sam and Diane Robinson, Barb Schaaf and Mary Hellenbrand; and her dear friend Susan Vergeront. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Dick; sister and brother-in-law Mary (Hugh) Hokenstad, brother and sister-in-law Marvin (Jennette) Poulik, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Malcolm and Joann McVicar, brother-in-law Dr. John Larsen and daughter-in-law Kylene Anttila McVicar.

A Memorial service will be held on Thurs. Dec. 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church 5763 County Road, Waunakee. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 9:30 until the time of services. A reception will follow in the lower hall. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice or Waunakee Food Pantry.

Please share your memories of Helen by posting in her Guestbook.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, WI