Helen Catherine Patak
Helen Catherine Lanicek Patak, lovingly known as “Granny”, peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus at the age of 89 on Monday, July 4, 2022 in Ennis, Texas with family by her side. Helen was born November
Helen was born November 13, 1932, in Bardwell, Texas to Wesley (Gus) and Bessie Trpak Lanicek.
Helen grew up in Bardwell, Texas and attended Bardwell schools in her early years. She also attended Ennis High School before graduating from St. John High School in 1950 where she was a proud member of their first women’s basketball team and voted “Most Athletic” her senior year. When asked about her time in high school, Helen shared that basketball was a passion of hers. In her words, “I would rather have played basketball than eat when given the choice”. On June 13, 1953 Helen married Albert Patak and they began their life in Oak Cliff before buying their first home in Wilmer in 1957. In 1968, Albert and Helen made their final move to their hometown of Ennis, Texas.
Helen had a very strong work ethic that was evident to all she worked with at Gunthard’s and Texas Instruments. She ended her working career with a 23 year tenure at Fallen’s Electric. After retiring, Helen enjoyed volunteering and spending time at Refiner’s Fire Ministries Outreach. Helen was a member of St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic Church of Ennis and KJZT.
Helen was a very accomplished seamstress and took pride in making clothes for her children over the years as well as clothes for her daughter’s Barbie dolls. She had a passion for gardening and canning. She was especially well known for her delicious garlic dill pickles, referred to by many as “Granny’s pickles”. Though she was a woman of few words, her love for her family and children was evident in the way she lived her life. She enjoyed spending time with and watching her family from her favorite rocking chair.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Albert Patak, and children: Sharon Kudrna, husband Michael; Sandra Lowe, husband James; Stephanie Nichols, husband Paul; Danny R. Patak, partner Kimberly Smith; Sheila Cox, husband Tim; brothers and sisters: Wesley Lanicek Jr.; Irene Vitovsky; Josephine Hickman; grandchildren and great grandchildren: Joe (JD) Nichols, wife Carrie and children Adeline and Bowen; Misty Culpepper and daughters Bailey and Lauren; Micah Kudrna; Rachel Kudrna; Dawson Brighton; John Cox, wife Natalie; and Sarah Cox.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Anna Lee Weaver and Betty Jane Coker as well as her daughter-in-law, Carol Patak and her granddaughter’s husband, Kevin Culpepper.
Visitation was held on Thursday, July 7, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis.
Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church of Ennis with Father Fred Caldwell officiating. Pallbearers were James Lowe, Lance Hickman, Joe (JD) Nichols, Micah Kudrna, Dawson Brighton, and John Cox. Honorary pallbearer was Kevin Culpepper. Interment followed in St. Joseph Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic Church of Ennis.
