Helena Lamoreux

Helena Kopera Lamoreux, 97 of Mason City, died Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Heritage Care and Rehabilitation Center.  To honor her wishes a Celebration of Life will be held in Mason City at a later date. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt, Iowa.  

Helena was born December 17, 1925, in Brzeznica-Debica Poland, daughter of Katezyna and Walenty Kopera.  Coming to America in October 1948 gave Helena the feelings of freedom and friendship she had felt in her native homeland when she was a child.  Those were the years before the Nazis invaded her homeland, making her a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany.

Helena at age 14, along with her brother were sent to Germany to work, each placed in German homes, here she learned to speak German. Considered prisoners of war, they wore every set of clothing with a gold and purple badge with a large "P" on the front which stood for Polish Prisoner.

Helena later married Baynard Lamoreux, an American soldier serving in Germany.  They were married on August 7, 1948, in Germany, as required for Law of the Land. They then were ceremonially married on August 8, 1948, in a German church by a U.S. Army Chaplain.

They traveled to America on a ship for 10 days, arriving in the U.S. in October of 1948.  Helena was seasick and sat on the top deck most of the trip.  The first thing they saw arriving in the harbor was the Statue of Liberty, the first thing Helena had wanted to see.

Baynard and Helena made their first home in Britt, Iowa then later moved to Mason City, Iowa where Baynard worked at Decker's.  

Helena worked at Madison and Roosevelt Schools in Food Service.  She retired after 20 years in 1985.  Helena made her first trip back to Poland in 1960 to visit her family.  Several trips followed.  When she first arrived back in Poland, the store shelves were empty of goods while trains traveled to Russia filled with goods from Poland.  She then decided to send boxes of clothing and goods to her family.  She and Baynard did this for many years. They helped clothe and feed 28 people.  Nothing was wasted.

Enjoying retirement Helena could be found on a lake fishing or listening and dancing to polka music. She was a member of the Mason City Senior Center and especially enjoyed meeting friends at the Southbridge Mall or Senior Center.  Helena was especially known for her hugs and stories.

Her family wishes to thank Heritage Care and Rehabilitation center for their care of Helena during her time spent with them.  Also, to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice for the care of Helena and her family.

Helena is survived by her children, Wayne (Sheila) Lamoreux of Mason City, Roger Lamoreux of Irma, Wisconsin. Her nieces and nephews here and family members in Poland.

Helena was preceded in death by her husband Baynard, one sister and two brothers in Poland, infant daughter Marlene and grandson Matthew in infancy.