Helen Horinek

Helen Mary (Mazanec) Horinek joined loved ones on May 29, 2023, in Colby, KS at the age of 100. She was born April 20, 1923, in Colby, to Adolph John Mazanec and Hedvicka (Hattie) Mazanec. Helen grew up with three sisters (one who died as an infant) and three brothers. She attended a country school in her earlier years and graduated from Colby High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, she married her sweetheart, Paul M Horinek, Sr. at the Catholic Church in Colby, KS. They would have celebrated 80 years of marriage on February 14, 2023. They settled at the Horinek Family Farm north of Atwood and started their own family with the birth of their sons Paul and Joe Horinek. In 1974, Joe took over the farm. Helen and Paul Sr moved to Atwood and lived in town for over 30 years.

Raising her family in Atwood, there wasn't a day that Helen didn’t know the latest news or future event. She knew so much about her family, the genealogy tree, Helen’s friend’s everyday adventures and even knew more about the locals of the town than they thought she did. Taking road trips with Helen was like getting a history lesson like she wrote the book herself. She had so much to teach us. Helen also loved to travel and took many bus trips all over the United States. Jim and Sister Rita Ann accompanied her on most trips. The one to Canada was the most memorable for them.

Everyone in Atwood knew Helen or knew her as a seamstress. I’m sure her address and phone number are still etched in memory for the one person to call. She was a hero to many people who needed last-minute hems, wedding dress alterations, and even someone who could sew a complete prom dress. Never charging what she was worth, she spent countless hours fixing items and wearing out her sewing machines. Some say her handiwork was the best in town. If the living room table didn’t have patterns for sewing it was filled with puzzles to work in her spare time.

Not only could she sew a stitch of significance, but she also could knead magic into her famous cherry kolaches and poppyseed rolls. Helen, Hattie and Sister Rita Ann were always in the kitchen making jam and pie after picking fresh black walnuts and rhubarb. If they weren’t cooking or preparing, they were washing dishes and enjoying each others’ conversations. Helen enjoyed celebrating birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and many family events.

Helen spent many hours in her backyard garden and could cook anything from scratch. She was a devout Catholic who attended every Mass at her local church. She was an inspiration to her brothers and sisters, but more so a wonderful caregiver to her late husband Paul. May Helen always be remembered as one who mended much more than pants and shirts. She stitched so many lives with knowledge, love, and compassion. There will never be another Helen Mary Mazanec Horinek like the Helen we knew and loved.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul M Horinek, Sr; her sons, Paul M. “Paulie” Horinek, Jr and Joe A. “Joey” Horinek; her siblings, Raymond J Mazanec, Ablin J Mazanec, Celestine “Sally” Seivert and James R “Jim” Mazanec.

Left to mourn her are, her sister, Sister Rita Ann, of Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, KS; daughter in law, Colleen (Joe) Horinek: grandchildren, Matt (Stacy) Horinek, Sharon (Jeff) Towery, Amie (Alex) Horinek and Austin Horinek: great grandchildren: Derian (Jordan) Baker, Brock Horinek (Sophia Burton), Braydon Horinek (Kaylyn Atkinson), Lauren (Justin) Roemer, Korey Ladenburger, Kyler Semple and Lacey Horinek; and great-great grandchild, Ruby Holm. Helen will be missed greatly by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation is 3-5:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2023, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 5, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood, with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Atwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Paul Horinek Memorial Fund, to provide future generations with college and or technical training, and may be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com