Mrs. Helen T. Wandell, 83, of LaPorte, died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014.
She was born Dec. 21, 1930, in LaPorte to Leo and Elizabeth (Wagner) Minich.
Helen had worked as a loan officer at Federal Land Bank before her retirement. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was an active member and volunteer of the St. Joseph Parish. Helen enjoyed spending time with family, friends and KOP circle neighbors of 50 years, and especially enjoyed playing bridge.
On June 27, 1959, she married William Wandell, who survives. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2009.
Also surviving are one son, Eric Wandell of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Richard (Jackie) Minich and Thomas Minich, both of LaPorte; and three sisters, Mary Biegel of Brookfield, MO, Rosemary DeWolf of LaPorte and Sister Helen Minich of Mishawaka, IN.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Virginia Biegel; and brothers Andrew, Robert and Leonard.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, LaPorte, with Rev. Eduardo Malagon officiating. Visitation will be at Essling Funeral Home, LaPorte, on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The Rosary will be recited by Sister Helen Minich on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, LaPorte.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.