Helen Edith Dudash

Helen Edith Dudash, 91, passed away peacefully on December 21 at her home at Cottagewood Assisted Living. She was born in Mankato, MN in 1928, and was the third of six children born to 

Luva and Ralph Lloyd. Helen graduated Mankato High School in 1946 and, being adventurous, moved to Chicago for a year, then moved to Los Angeles where she met Charles Dudash in1948, and fell head over heels. They got married in 1949 and spent their first week of married life driving across country in an open jeep so Helen could meet her new in-laws in Pittsburg, PA. Helen and Charlie moved between Los Angeles and Mankato a few times, before settling down in Mankato to raise their growing family  

Over the next thirty years Helen and Charlie happily raised two daughters and three sons in a home Charlie built on Lillian Drive, before retiring to build a new home on a lake in Cherokee Village, Arkansas in 1979. They were very happy in their retirement in the Ozarks, until Charlie passed away in 1997. Helen moved back to Mankato in 2007 to be closer to her oldest daughter and other family members and old friends. Towards the end of her life she began to lose her memory and cognitive abilities due to vascular dementia, but she never lost her wonderful smile and sweet nature.  

Helen pursued many interests during her lifetime. She loved art and music. In retirement she discovered watercolor and her art blossomed. She spent her life making music – she sang in the church choir and played piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjo. She was also a talented golfer, winning the women’s 18-hole Club Championship at Mankato Country Club several times.   

Many people who knew Helen remarked on her youthful energy as one of her most endearing qualities. Her position as secretary to the Superintendent of Elementary Schools in the Mankato Public Schools, then the secretary to the Mankato High School Principal were especially enjoyable to her as they allowed her to work with young people. 

Helen was an exceptional human being. She was a very spiritual person - a devoted Christian open to learning about and discussing the tenets of many different religions. She was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church her entire adult life in Mankato, and was a member of the 3rd order of St. Francis for 29 years. Helen was well-loved, as she was kind and open-hearted. She went out of her way to ensure that all those around her were cared for, often opening her home to those who had nowhere to spend a holiday. She truly practiced her Christianity on a daily basis. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends. 

Helen is survived by her children: Nickie VanStelten (Dale), C Michael Dudash (Valerie), Stephan Dudash (Linda), James Dudash (Sandy), Susan Bacon (Curtis); her grandchildren: Nora  VanStelten Dolfuss (Andrew), Sara VanStelten (Matt Gobeille), Alison Dudash McHugh (Patrick), Elisabeth Dudash, Micah Dudash (Kelly), Jaime Dudash (Ambi), Rachel Dudash, Mariah Dudash,  Tucker Bacon, Olivia Bacon; and her great-grandchildren: Bailey Dudash, Joshua Dudash, Aron Dudash, Fenna Dudash, Lucas Dudash and Lauren Dudash. She also is survived by her brothers, Harry Lloyd and Terry Lloyd (Jeanne), her sister, Nancy Kisten, sister-in law Patty Lloyd and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. She will be happy to be joining her husband, Charlie, her brother Jim, and sister Lois, in heaven. 

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mankato on Saturday, February 8th at 11 a.m. with visitation 1 hour before services.  Memorial gifts may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 1119, Mankato MN 56001.