Helen Richter

MADISON - Helen Marie (Blazek) Richter, age 98, passed peacefully from the arms of family and friends to her Lord on June 7, 2015, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg. She was born September 17, 1916 in McGregor, Iowa to Joe and Bertha (Sawell) Blazek and was soon moved to Madison where she lived her whole life.

Helen's youth in Madison was captured in Sarah White's book "Madison Women Remember." In her long life she was active in many social clubs, card clubs and unions. After her early homes in downtown and the Greenbush, in 1958 she settled near the stadium with the love of her life, Oscar Richter.
Helen was a lively, gregarious, personable and iconic Madisonian, a devoted homemaker, a longtime active member of Luther Memorial Church, a caterer, and host to many Badger tailgate parties. Many know her from her years at the JCPenney catalogue desks at Westgate and West Towne. Who can forget her unique bejeweled glasses, her gorgeous smile, the chocolate kisses and hugs, or banana bread, she so generously shared.

Helen was loved by so many, including the dozens she "adopted" who called her "Mum" and "Gramma," her close card-playing friends, church friends, and McDonald's group.

Many thanks go out to Dr. Goldrosen, and the staffs at Associated Physicians, Meriter, Oakwood, Capitol Lakes and Avalon who kept Helen active until the very end.

Helen is survived by her daughter Nancee (Kraut) Dunnum and sons Richard (Patti Schuettler) and Jeffrey (Roger Baize), 10 grandchildren, 19 great and 10 great great grandchildren, a nephew Joey Blazek and a niece Cindy (Blazek) Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert Blazek, son Gordon Kraut, daughter Barbara Ann (Frisch) Madsen, and granddaughter Barbara (Novoa) Fey.

Visitation will be Friday, June 12 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM at Cress Funeral Home at 3610 Speedway Road. Funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Brad Pohlman at Luther Memorial Church, 1027 University Avenue at 11:00 AM Saturday June 13, lunch to follow, and burial at Roselawn Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434