Helen A. LaCroix, age 86, formerly of 2215 Menasha Avenue, Manitowoc, presently residing at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center, Manitowoc, died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Shady Lane.

She was born December 18, 1920, in the town of Meeme, Manitowoc County, daughter of the late John and Catherine (Pitz) Schneider.

On September 2, 1940, she married Hugo J. LaCroix at St. Fidelis, Spring Valley. He preceded her in death September 22, 1999.

Helen and her husband, Hugo, owned and operated a hog & dairy farm in the town of Newton, retiring to Manitowoc in 1976. The couple enjoyed various card clubs and also dancing. She was a member of The Pine River Hustlers Homemakers Group, St. Francis of Assisi and a former member of the Christian Mothers Association.

Survivors include five sons and four daughters-in-law: Ronald & Bette LaCroix, Oak Creek; Kenneth & Kathy LaCroix, Sheboygan; Richard & Mary LaCroix, Stoughton; John LaCroix, Manitowoc; Paul & June LaCroix, Manitowoc; two daughters and sons-in-law: Kathleen & Joseph Deignan, Sonoma, CA; Cheryl & Michael Butz, Manitowoc; eighteen grandchildren: Andrea Kuchar & her husband, Andrew; Christa Cobian & her husband, Dale; Deanna Norreli & her husband, Tony; Marcia Esch & her husband, Rory; Kari Madson & her husband, John; Kelley Galeano & her husband, Miguel; Christopher LaCroix & his wife, Wendy; Damian LaCroix & his wife, Melissa; Jessica Schrimpf & her husband, Jim; Lindsay LaCroix; Sarah Hanson & her husband, Nick; Joshua Deignan & his wife, Cynthia; Genevieve Deignan; Alison Stebnitz & her fianc?? Robert Backus; Courtney Stebnitz & her fianc?, Michael Robinson; Jacob Stebnitz; Heidi Butz & Danielle Butz; twenty-eight great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law: Ray and Hilda Schneider, Sheboygan; three sisters: Olive Schwoerer, St. Nazianz; Mildred Dhein, Kiel; Agnes Schmitz, Sheboygan; a brother-in-law & his wife: Marvin LaCroix & Ruth, Sheboygan Falls; and a sister-in-law: Veronica Williams, New Holstein. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive.

Helen was also preceded in death by a daughter: Helen; a grandson: Brian; two brothers: Leander & Gerald; a sister: Lorraine; and many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007, at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Gerald Foley with entombment at Knollwood Mausoleum, town of Kossuth.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Francis of Assisi on Grand, Manitowoc, from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2007, until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name.
The family would like to extend a thank you to Whitetail Estates and the 2ndand 4th floor nursing staff at Shady Lane Nursing Care Center. A special thank you to Sherri Glandt, nurse practitioner; and Pat Clark, RN for their care and compassion shown toward Mom and her family. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Mary LaCroix who was with Mom at her time of death.
The Pfeffer Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
The Sheboygan Press May 17, 2007