Helen Marie (Bernath) Slowinski

      Helen Marie Slowinski, age 87, of Elsie, MI, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2024, peacefully at her home. 

      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Bannister, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, February 22, 2024.  Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 2-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes Elsie, MI with a Rosary being prayed at 7:00 P.M. 

      Helen was born in Lansing, MI on December 11, 1936, the daughter of Andro and Mary (Kusnier) Bernath.  She was a graduate of Elsie High School with the Class of 1956.  Helen married Harold D. Slowinski on September 5, 1959, at St. Cyril's Catholic Church in Bannister, MI.  They were blessed with forty-six years of marriage prior to his passing on February 4, 2006.  She was a member of St. Cyril's Catholic Church.  

      Helen loved to garden.  She enjoyed sewing, embroidery and making quilts.   Helen made many quilts for her family.   Going to garage sales was a favorite of hers, and she loved supervising her family garage sale during the Elsie Dairy Festival, but mostly loved visiting with everyone who came to the sale. Helen donated her time to working at the Elsie Baby Pantry.  Family and friends will miss her wonderful baking and the kolacky she made.  Helen's door was always open and enjoyed her visits.  She was a caregiver at heart and loved taking care of her grandchildren.  

      She is survived by two daughters: Theresa and Doug Clark of Lakeland, FL; Mary Jo and Ryan Ackels of St. Johns, MI; two sons: Mark Slowinski and Loni Plowman of Elsie, MI; Paul and Sandy Slowinski of Ashley, MI; six grandchildren: Jennifer, Andrew, Josh, Courtney, Jacob, and Saige; six great-grandchildren: Briseyda, Lukas, Angelee, Zuriel, Emerson, and Evie; brother Martin Bernath of Elsie, MI; sister-in-law Margaret Ann Bernath of Ovid, MI. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harold, her brothers: Thomas Bernath and John (Marilyn) Bernath, and infant brother Albert.

      Memorials may be made to Elsie Baby Pantry. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.