In Memory
Helen Arlene Kring
January 19, 1930 - February 29, 2024
Helen Kring 94, of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away on February 29, 2024.
She is survived by her son Joseph E. (Joyce) Kring; grandchildren Scott Kring, Ross Kring, Matt (Cathy) Kring, Chad Kring, Sarah (Eric) Payton; Hillary (Evan) Whitney; and her sister Marilyn Lubinski.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth L. and Geneova L. (Fuller); her husband Joseph W. Kring; her son Dennis Kring; her brothers Kenneth "Jr." and Sonny Rininger; and sisters Margie Horvath and Shirley LeDonne.
Helen was a wonderful woman who was a great friend to all she met. She had a wonderful desire for performing, especially at Southfield Village. Helen was married to her husband, Joe for 52 years when he passed away in 2000. They had two sons, Joe and Denny, six grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. She met her husband to be, during her sophomore year of high school, on a roller-skating rink. "He winked at me and never winked at another woman after that." They were married in 1948 and raised their sons. In 1982 she decided that she needed something to do with all the free time she now had an empty nest. Helen decided to start her own business teaching ceramics out of her basement. The first class had 23 students, who all became her best friends. She loved what she was doing, but never made any money out of it because everything she earned went right back into the business. A year and a half later, Helen decided to make dolls. She always loved to sew and was inspired by those who had artistic abilities. To make dolls on that level Helen had to work painstakingly slow due to the delicate process. She and Joe went to a lake home at Three Mile Lake in Paw Paw, Michigan, every summer, where Helen would work for hours every day sewing the doll clothing. Helen worked for three weeks, at least five hours a day, on every doll she made. Helen lost her sight to Diabetic
Edema and became legally blind. She no longer could make her beautiful dolls. When she started losing her sight her husband would layout and read the patterns for the one last doll. He would baste the pattern in black. Helen would be able to see the black edging enough to sew the outfit for her doll.
Helen was an extremely talented and especially loving person. Her talents were vast and unique; but no more special than the love for her friends and her precious family. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
In lieu of flowers the family would like for you to consider a donation to Southern Care Hospice, 1626 E. Day Rd. Mishawaka, IN 46545. The Saint Joseph Diabetes Resource Center, 5215 Holy Cross Pkwy., Mishawaka, IN 46545. And/or St. Joseph County River Bend Cancer Services, 3516 E Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615.
Visitation for family and friends will take place on Wednesday, March 06, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Southfield Village, located at 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, Indiana 46614 in the Chapel on the second floor (please enter through the main entrance: Door #1). A funeral service be held at 1:00 pm with burial to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, located at 10776 McKinley Hwy., Osceola, Indiana 46561.
12/14/2024 DEC
|