Helen Harriet (Hedrick) Riley, 78, of Sparta, WI, passed away

Helen Harriet (Hedrick) Riley, 78, of Sparta, WI, passed away Tuesday,
March 12, 2013, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta, WI, with
her loving family at her side.
Helen was born November 11, 1934, on the Hedrick Family
Farm on Summit Ridge outside of Norwalk. She was the sixth
of 10 children born to George and Frances (Berendes)
Hedrick. Helen graduated from Sparta High School in 1952.
She married the late Walt Riley at St. Patrick’s Catholic
Church February 7, 1959. They made their home in Sparta
and together had six children.
Helen worked in administration at a variety of local businesses.
Then she took on her most vital role of raising her children and
any child who wandered in. She was a second mother to many
other children in town, a job she truly loved. Once her children were
raised she went on to school for pastoral care. She became a certified Catholic Chaplain
and lay minister at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta. This is where she found her
true calling. Helen had a very caring soul; and excelled at helping others find their way.
Helen lived her life to the fullest and was full of spunk, spirit, charm and a wit like no
other. She loved to read and play cards, but mostly cherished time spent with her
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Kevin (Vicki) Riley of Sparta, Kathy (Bob) Zay of
Sparta, Reenie Riley of Sparta, WI, Susie (Tim) West of Eau Claire, WI, Peggy (Dave
Payne) Riley of Madison, WI and Tish (Jamie) Olson of West Salem, WI; 17
grandchildren; former son-in-law, Tim Jerome; 4 great-grandchildren; 9 siblings, Elaine
Nicol of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Joseph (Betty) Hedrick of Vista, CA, Dorothy Warriner
of Beloit, WI, Noel Hedrick of San Diego, CA, Joan Sullivan of Sparta, WI, Ronald
(Peg) Hedrick of Wilton, WI, Jerome Paul (Carolette) Hedrick of Sparta, WI, Carolyn
(Pete) Flock of Lake Elmo, MN, and Mary (Clayton) Hulleman of Forest Lake, MN;
along with many nieces, nephews and good friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Walt Riley; brothers-inlaw, David Sullivan, Fran Nicol, and Ken Warriner.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013, 2:00 p.m. at the Sparta
Municipal Golf Course, The Greens Restaurant, 1210 E. Montgomery St. Family and
friends are invited for visitation Saturday, from 12:00 – until the time of service at The
Greens. Burial will be held Sunday, July 21, 2013, at St. John the Baptist Catholic
Cemetery, rural Norwalk. The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta is
assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at
www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.