Helen P. Lenz

June 16, 1929 - April 27, 2022

Helen P. Lenz, age 92, made her trip to Heaven on April 27, 2022. The daughter of Minnie Sowalska and John Perry, Helen was born June 16, 1929 in Chicago, IL. She grew up in Ukrainian Village, moving to Schaumburg, IL in her teen years during World War II. After graduating Leyden High School, she went to work as a secretary at Mars, at her father’s Nash car dealership, and at Elmwood Ford on Harlem Avenue, where she met Walter K. Lenz. She married Walter K. Lenz December 1, 1956. They had 3 children: Carrie Ewing (David) of Warrensburg, MO, Wesley Lenz (Myroslava) of Naperville, IL, and Bradley Lenz of West Chicago, IL. She was the loving Grandie to Sarah Ewing (Pallavi), Ian Ewing, and Shane Ewing, and devoted Moonie to Erik Lenz. Helen and Walter built their dream home in Wayne, IL. After retirement she moved to Mt. Prospect, and finally to Naperville to be closer to her sons. An athletic adventurer, Helen always kept active and was never afraid to try something new. There was hardly a sport that she didn’t love. An avid ballroom dancer, she loved to dance throughout her life, from dancing at wedding receptions as a child to swing dancing in the 1940s to attending tea dances into the next century. She enjoyed water and snow skiing. A keen cyclist, Helen loved to hit the bicycle trails. She also even dusted off the clubs to go golfing with her teenage grandson into her 90s. She loved water, sun, and boats in all combinations. She also had a passion for travel. Family vacations were filled with trips to Lake Geneva, Florida, and Northern Wisconsin. In her 60s, not only did she take her granddaughter white water rafting, but she was also scuba certified in multiple categories and traveled to Australia to scuba in the Great Barrier Reef. She took multiple pilgrimages to her mother’s homeland in Ukraine, and even hiked in Muir Woods in California with her family in her final month of life. Never one to stay idle, she used her creative talents to crochet everything from booties and sweaters for her family to individual afghans and lap-blankets for wounded soldiers. In her retirement years, Helen enjoyed rediscovering bridge, starting a bridge group in her condo complex. She enjoyed wildlife, spending time outdoors in her gardens, and taking daily walks on the Naperville Riverwalk, even in the week of her passing. She had a need for speed – speedboats, race cars, snowmobiles, and motorbikes. A car enthusiast, Helen always drove in the fast lane. We will miss her. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, May 2, 2022, at Yurs Funeral Home 405 E. Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. Funeral Services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Yurs Funeral Home, St. Charles. Burial will be at Little Woods Cemetery, St. Charles, Township.Guest BookShareEmailPrint