Helen Matus Girard

Helen (Matus) Girard, age 84, of Waco, passed away late Tuesday night, December 2, 2008 at St. Catherine's Center in Waco. A rosary will be recited 6:30 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel by Janice Kaluza, followed by visitation until 8:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cemetery, with Rev. Ed Karasek officiating. Mrs. Girard was born November 4, 1924 in Abbott, the daughter of Will and Albina (Krenek) Matus. She attended the old Briggman School near Penelope. Helen was united in marriage to Leo J. "Lefty" Girard. He preceded her in death on September 27, 1985. Helen was a waitress for several restaurants, including Fickels, Goldstein's Caf, Jess Radle Steakhouse, Lake Brazos and Miller Family Steakhouse, all in the Waco area. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Waco. Helen loved spending special time with her family. She enjoyed dancing, drinking pivo, gambling, playing bingo, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and she especially loved spending time with her family. One of her favorite memories and one she repeated often was of the time it snowed on the 4th of July in West. Her parents and a brother, Ben Matus, also preceded her in death. Survivors include five sons, Joe "K.L." Miller and wife Pam, of Arlington, Johnny Girard and wife Linda of Eddy, Tommy Girard and wife Kim of China Spring, Leo "Sonny" Girard and companion Cindy of Lacy Lakeview, and Billy Girard and wife Glenda of Lorena; four daughters, Mary Ann Moody and husband Ron of Waco, Linda Henry and husband Jack of Waco, Lillian Crawford and husband Don of Irvington, AL, and Theresa "Terry" Avants of China Spring; a brother, Willie Matus and wife Willie Mae of West; a sister, Lucille Kveton and husband George of Lubbock; a sister-in-law, Ida Drozd of West; eighteen grandchildren; twenty three great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Honorary pallbearers are Ben Matus, Richard Matus, Bobby Avants, Tommy Miller, Ernest Bezdek, and Butch Henry. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Providence Hospice or the charity of your choice.