Helen W. Davidson

Helen's philosophy about life was simple: be the best you can be, stay busy, and do what you can to learn at least one new thing everyday. She truly took these ideas to heart, living a life filled with friends and family, laughter and love. Andrew and Stella (Systo) Wisneski loved their homeland of Poland, but as times grew tough during the early twentieth century they, along with thousands of their countrymen, packed their belongings, boarded a ship, and set sail for the United States . Uncertain of what, exactly, they would find, Andrew and Stella rested their faith in the idea that at the very least, their children would grow up embraced by the opportunity and promise of America. After settling in the busy Midwestern town of Chicago , the Wisneski's welcomed three boys and three girls into their family. Stanley was the oldest, followed by Anna, Andrew, Helen, Evelyn, and Frank. Helen, the fourth child, arrived in the summer of 1920, on July 14. Just four years later, Helen and the rest of her family moved from the bustling streets of Chicago to the quiet fields of Walkerville, Michigan . They took up residence on a small farm. It was there that Helen and her siblings grew up during the Depression years, caring for the farm animals, helping with chores, and attending school. They didn't have much money of course, so most of Helen's fun came from swimming, riding horses, and playing with the neighborhood children. Over the years Helen also discovered an enjoyment of words and language, and won numerous spelling bees at school. She liked being active in Girl Scouts and basketball too. Her involvement in activities combined with her sharp intellect made Helen the natural choice for Walkerville High School Valedictorian, a role she assumed with ease and confidence. Just after graduation, Helen met Richard Davidson in Hart, Michigan . Dick worked at Bennett's Service Station, which sat just across the street from the restaurant where Helen waited tables. One day, the lovely Helen went to Bennett's Service Station during a date with another guy. While Dick was cleaning the car, he gazed down at Helen and decided that he just had to ask her out on a date. His intuition proved correct; Helen was, indeed, "the one." Dick and Helen shared an intensely romantic courtship and later married on Christmas Day of 1940. Early in the 1940s Dick took a job at CWC Foundry, and he and Helen moved to the Muskegon area. For her part, Helen held many different jobs over the years, including manufacturing positions at Motor Service and Anaconda Wire & Cable, and sales positions at Budds Jewelers, Krautheim Jewelers, and JC Penny's. Dick and Helen both worked hard, but made time for each other too. Helen could dance for hours with her husband, or laugh with him again and again at the countless parties she organized for Bridge Club and the Elks and Moose Clubs. The love Helen and Dick shared grew stronger with each day, month, and year that passed. When Helen and Dick's son, Richard, arrived, they naturally spoiled him with their love and attention. Helen read to her son constantly, hoping her fondness for phonetics and the English language would rub off on him. She also took him to the library and taught him how to research whatever information his young mind longed for. Creating a well-balanced, fun childhood for Richard was always Helen's top priority, so she kept him busy with a wide variety of things. There was choir, church, Sunday School, and Catechism classes; there were Cub and Boy Scouts; and there was hockey, piano lessons, and four years of piano recitals too. Helen also encouraged Richard to join the high school band, which he did, playing both the trombone and drums. Seeing her son busy and actively enjoying life made Helen incredibly fulfilled as a mother. She was sure to share in his activities in whatever way she could, like helping to organize the youth hockey league at the LC Walker Arena in the early 1960s (which was a rather major event). At church, she let Richard go to his classes and practices while she involved herself with various church events, washed and repaired choir robes, and made baked goods for the congregation to enjoy. Helen looked forward to the times when she traveled with her son too. They took yearly trips to Florida to visit Helen's sister Evelyn, and never failed to have a great time. As Richard grew older, married, and had children of his own, Helen couldn't help but spoil her daughter-in-law and grandsons. Helen and her grandsons bonded over the art of joke-telling. They could spend a good bit of time sitting around just laughing at each other's jokes. It was no wonder that Helen invited them over so often. The boys, too, loved seeing their Grandma Helen and going on trips with her and Grandpa Dick in the motor home, creating many unforgettable memories all the while. On October 24, 2004, Helen suffered the loss of her beloved husband, Dick. Helen remembered, with incredible love, the 64 years she had spent by his side. They had traveled and danced and gardened and dined together countless times. Each and every memory they shared had a special place in Helen's heart, and she felt blessed to have shared so many wonderful, devoted years with the man she loved. Those who knew Helen will remember her for her love of life, her adventurous spirit, the unconditional love she shared so willingly. She will be missed and fondly remembered forever. Mrs. Helen W. Davidson, age 85, died Sunday, January 1, 2006. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard, on October 24, 2004; and three brothers: Andrew, Stanley & Frank Wisneski. Helen is survived by a son, Richard M. (Karen) Davidson of North Muskegon; two grandchildren, Richard M. II & Tyler A. Davidson; two sisters, Evelyn (Chris) VanBergen of Melbourne, FL & Anna Klouse of Rochester Hills, MI; one sister-in-law, Bernadette Wisneski of North Muskegon; and many nieces & nephews. A Life Story Service will take place Friday, January 6, 2006, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Pastor William Uetricht officiating. Visitation will also take place Friday at Clock Funeral Home, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Laketon Township Cemetery . Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory with Helen's family, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial donation to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church Building Fund.