Helen L. Wescoat

Helen Louise Wescoat was born May 6, 1930 in Sparr, Michigan to John and Josephine (Kwapis) Prusakiewicz. She was the fifth of eight children. As a young girl, she nearly died from pneumonia. She attended Dover Township School through 8th grade and worked very hard on the family farm. In 1943, new neighbors moved in to the neighboring farmstead (The Ocer Wescoat Sr. family).  It was here that she met the love of her life, Donald Wescoat Sr. They wed September 3, 1949 and shared 63 years of inseparable love for each other until Donald’s death September 29, 2012. In their early years, they welcomed a son and daughter. Helen and the kids worked on the family farm as Don worked in construction. Their hard work paid off as they were able to purchase a second farm. When their third child was born the work didn’t stop and this little one was strapped to the tractor seat with Helen as they worked the land for hours. When the fourth child was on the way, it was time to sell the 30 dairy cows and quit farming. Helen cried as the cows were trucked away. In 1984, they purchased the Parkview Motel. For over 30 years, she ran the motel. It was her pride and joy. Helen loved gardening, making family dinners, holidays with loved ones and praying to God. The simple joys of life with family made Helen the happiest. She is survived by her children Larry (Marian) Wescoat, Sandra Falkenhagen, Donald (Andrea) Wescoat Jr., son-in-law David Eilts; grandchildren Erica (Lee) Wescoat-Large, Christopher (Becky) Falkenhagen, Robert (Anna) Falkenhagen, Jessica (James) Acrey, Stephanie (Rick) Wescoat-Downs, Carrie Barb, Nicole (Jared) Birce, Natasha Wescoat (Cody Fleming); 13 great-grandchildren; 2 step great-grandchildren; brother Richard (Margaret) Prusakiewicz; sisters-in-law Julia Prusakiewicz, Joann Prusakiewicz, Margaret Wilson, and special sister-in-law Sharon Wescoat, a brother-in-law, Edward Kress; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Sr., daughter Arlene Wescoat-Eilts, granddaughter Linda, brothers Stanley, Edward, Raymond and Floyd Prusakiewicz and sisters Martha Rinaldi and Dorothy Jaruzel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM Monday, November 25, 2019 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Vanderbilt where the family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00 AM.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the family for a memorial donation to be decided later.  Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com