Helen Riska, 91

Helen Hattie Riska, 91, died Thursday, June 27, 2013, at her home in Kalispell. 

Helen was born in Johnstown, N.Y., Aug. 14, 1921 to Henry and Pauline (Masarik) Billa. She completed eighth grade then started working to help support her family. She worked as a glove maker at the glove factory in Johnstown.  

On Oct. 14, 1939, Helen married Joseph Florian Riska. They were blessed with three children. She was very proud of the fact that she had 12 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.  

After retiring from more than 30 years as an employee of Kirsch Manufacturing Company in Sturgis, Mich., Helen enjoyed traveling, making peanut brittle, crocheting, playing cards and dominoes.  She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, the hospital auxiliary, a member of the Altar Society and president of the PTA for St. Patrick's Catholic School.  

Helen enjoyed swimming, gymnastics, bowling and singing in minstrel shows, and loved to tell the story of winning a first-place trophy at a pool tournament. She hosted exchange guests from Germany and Japan. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph, brothers Edward and Robert Billa, sisters Betty Hall, Louise Pavlik, Dolores Miller, and Hattie Billa (who died as an infant), and son-in-law O.J. Sova. Helen is survived by her siblings Henry “Hank” Billa and Judy Voorhees,  sister-in-law Irene Colton, brother-in-law Bill Riska, her children Jack Riska (Barb) of Missoula, Sally Sova of Kalispell, Joe Riska (Angelita) of Kalispell, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  

Viewing will be at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home on Monday, July 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, July 2, at Risen Christ Church in Evergreen at 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown, with interment following at St. Anthony's cemetery.   

Suggested memorials are for Risen Christ Parish in Evergreen; Holy Trinity Church in Johnstown; Auriesville Shrine or St. Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in New York.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Helen's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and share memories