Helen "Grandma" Luniak

Helen “Grandma” Catherine Luniak (Mader) age 100 of Appleton, WI joined her heavenly kingdom on December 29, 2023.  She was born to Joseph and Charlotte (Krueger) Mader on September 28, 1923 in Neenah, WI.  Helen graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Menasha with the class of ’41 and went on to become a bookkeeper for various businesses in the Fox Valley area.  She met the love of her life, Melvin Luniak not long after high school and they were married in November of 1949.  Together, they adopted and raised two wonderful kids and fostered two more. 

Helen was a true matriarch and the glue that held her family together.  Everyone looked up to Helen as a role model and never wanted to disappoint her.  She was a true servant to her husband and her family, making sure everyone was always well-fed (even her barn cats) and received all the attention they needed and then some.  Helen enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her delicious pies and cookies.  She spent much of her younger years bowling with her bowling league and later golfing with her husband and her Wednesday women’s golf league at High Cliff.  You could often find Helen and Melvin playing cards with other couples, her family, and her friends, especially sheepshead which she proudly taught to her kids and grandkids.  Additionally, her hands were often busy trying her luck with Wisconsin Lottery scratch tickets.  She always put others’ needs before her own and always lent a helping hand in folding laundry, babysitting, accounting for income taxes, assisting with homework assignments, or mending clothes whenever someone needed her help.  More than anything, though, Grandma loved her family unconditionally, no matter how bad we screwed up, and prayed for us daily. 

Helen will be missed by her kids, Jeff Luniak (Ellen Lind), Pam (Todd) Wittmann, and Chuck (Shawn) Kiesow; her grandchildren, Andy Luniak, Noah (Abigail) Luniak, Brooke (Brian) Wruck, Casey Wittmann (Fiancée Lindsey Niesen), Taylor Wittmann, Chuck (Bethany) Kiesow, and Ben (Laura) Kiesow; her great-grandchildren, Marshall Luniak, Brayden Wruck, Charlotte Kiesow, Stella Kiesow, and Atticus Kiesow; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives. 

Helen rejoins her husband, Melvin Luniak; her sisters, Mary (Bob) Sage and Theresa (Bob) Pontow; her infant brother, Joseph Mader; her niece, Kathy Baxter; and her nephew, Richard Sage. 

A memorial visitation will be held for Grandma from 3:30 – 5:30 PM on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Wichmann Tri-County Chapel, 1592 S. Oneida St, Menasha, WI 54952 with a memorial service to follow at 5:30 PM.  Helen will be laid to rest with her husband, Melvin, at St. Paul Cemetery in Combined Locks, WI.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Paul Catholic Parish in Combined Locks in honor of Helen. 

Helen’s family would like to thank the staff at Eagle Point Senior Living who showed true care and compassion to Helen through the past few years.