Obituary: Sister Helen Zulka, OSF

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Sister Helen Zulka, OSF

Sister Helen (John Edward) Zulka, OSF, was born into eternal life at the age of 97 on September 6, 2025, after 77 years as a Sister of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate. She enjoyed teaching, pastoral ministry, and especially her ministry to the elderly in nursing homes. The joy Sister Helen brought to others will be missed by all.

Sister Helen came to the Joliet Franciscans from St. Hedwig Parish in Toledo, Ohio, after completing high school (1945) at Central Catholic High School. She received a BA (1949) with a major in Art from the College of St. Francis, Joliet Illinois. She later studied at the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology, Ann Arbor, Michigan; St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana; Marian University, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.

In 1951, Sister Helen began her professional career with the ministry of education. She taught third grade at St. Peter Grade School, Mansfield, Ohio, and at St. Michael, Worthington, Ohio, before beginning her 20-year mission in secondary education. She taught a variety of subjects but especially enjoyed teaching home economics, art appreciation and art design. Her teaching took her to St. Procop High School (1955-1960) Cleveland, Ohio; St. Peter and Paul High School (1960-1963) Chicago, Illinois; Marybrook Academy (1963-1964) Maumee, Ohio; Cardinal Gibbons High School (1964-1975) Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sister Helen then took her teaching experience and creativity to pastoral ministry (1976-1995) serving parishes in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois as Director of Religious Education, Director of the RCIA, and Advocate for the Elderly. She continued to follow her heart (1995-2000) to Bryan Nursing Home, Bryan, Ohio, where she was the Hospice Chaplain for William and Fulton Counties, Bereavement Coordinator and eventually a work shelter (QUADCO) volunteer. Sister Helen was very active in many social and community organizations.

Returning to Joliet in 2000, Sister Helen continued to do what she loved, reaching out to the aged in nursing homes. She became a hospice house greeter (2000-2011) a ministry that was lifegiving for her and a consolation for those whom she served. Sister Helen always had her eye out for commemorative stamps and was an avid member of the Philatelic Club of Joliet. In her later years she resided at Villa Franciscan Place where she felt that her prayer and presence made a difference to the residents and all her new friends.

Sister Helen was born on November 24, 1927, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late John and Helen (Karnikowski) Zulka. Both her brothers John Zulka and Edward Zulka preceded her in death. Sister Helen is survived by many devoted cousins and friends.

Visitation for Sister Helen Zulka will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, Friday, September 12, 2025, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Sharing of memories will take place immediately following the Mass in the Church. All are invited to attend. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W. Romeo Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Helen Zulka or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL 60435.

For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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