Helen McAuley

Helen Ann (Laack) McAuley, age 85, passed away peacefully at Arborwood Lodge in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

She was born January 12, 1939, in Mauston, WI to Werner "Vern" and Marie (Gruetzmacher) Laack. She attended school in Wonewoc.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Pastor Peter Plagenz will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home.

Helen married Merle "Terry" McAuley on November 11, 1961. They raised two sons, Scott and Mark, whose mischievousness kept her on her toes, but she'd often say, "they turned out alright." She was always very proud of them and grateful that they later catered to her every whim.

Helen worked as a homemaker and a waitress, most notably at The Ridges, The Elk's Club, and Wilburn's. She volunteered at her church, St Paul's Lutheran Church, where she took her role very seriously. She organized and cooked meals for gatherings for more than two decades. She often said she didn't know how to cook if not for a crowd, which she learned to do by helping her mom cook for her 11 siblings. If she wasn't cooking, she was baking, canning, or making jam. She also spent countless hours volunteering at Dime and Dollar in Stevens Point. Helen never hesitated to take charge; she was a "supervisor without the pay."

In addition to making delicious meals, she also enjoyed exercising her creativity with crafting. She sewed, knitted, and quilted among other things. She lovingly handmade gifts for family and friends, some nights toiling away at her sewing machine until the sun came up. If you visited before noon, you were likely to catch her still in her pajamas. She also enjoyed playing, but more specifically winning, cards and bingo with friends.

Her most fulfilling role was as a caretaker. She had an active role in her grandchildren's lives. Whether it was playing chauffeur, hosting sleepovers, attending events, or going on vacation together, it was a time she cherished. She took pride in taking them back to her family farm to visit and reminisce about her days as a barefoot wild child.

She doted on her great-grandchildren, bragging to anyone who would listen. She knew others at the assisted living center lit up when they saw little ones, so she'd make sure to parade them down the halls when they visited.

Helen made special efforts to attend all family events, especially for her nieces and nephews, and to selflessly care for friends and family in times of need.

It is said that Helen had nine lives. She had many physical health obstacles in her adult life, and when things seemed to look bleak, she kept fighting, and her stubbornness bought her more time.

Helen sometimes had a hard outer shell, but she had a generous heart and a lot of love for family and friends. She will be missed terribly but remembered fondly for her grit and spunk.

Helen is survived by her husband, Terry; her sons, Scott (Susan) McAuley of Wisconsin Rapids, and Mark (Jeanne) McAuley of Wisconsin Rapids; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Jacob) Fortune of McFarland, Jami (Michael) Kapral of Newton, Benjamin McAuley of Wisconsin Rapids, Nicholas McAuley of Wisconsin Rapids, and Maggie (Kevin) Krug of Vesper; her great-grandchildren, Anna and John Kapral, and Boone and Bridger Krug; her siblings, Wayne Laack, Elaine Bell, Betty Stout, Carol Borgen, Eddie (Sharon) Laack, James Laack, and William (Vicki) Laack; her goddaughter, Kristina Bernath; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Vern and Marie Laack; siblings, Rose Wallace, Richard Laack, Robert Laack, and Gayle Laack.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Arborwood staff, for their friendship and always making her feel at home.

Thank you to hospice staff for making Helen comfortable in her final days.