Helen T. Muench

Helen T. Muench, age 98, of Lancaster, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017, surrounded by many of her family at Atrium Post Acute Care in Lancaster. Helen Theresa (Vorwald) Muench, was born on November 30, 1918, in Bloomington, the daughter of Fred and Lillian (Ertz) Vorwald. Helen married Leo Muench on October 4, 1938, and they enjoyed 54 years together until Leo's death in June 1993. Helen and Leo operated the family farm in South Lancaster Township for 32 years.
Helen was a hard-working homemaker who always held strong to her faith and family. She was the oldest with four younger brothers and raised three children of her own. Helen enjoyed providing for her family and friends through her cooking, gardening, canning, and sewing. She also enjoyed volunteering for over 40 years for various organizations including St. Clement Catholic Church, Orchard Manor Nursing Home, Lancaster Care Center, Lancaster Hospital Auxiliary, and the St. Clement Quilters. More than anything, Helen loved to make her famous "Big Cookie" for her grandchildren's birthday and honor them with a personalized card with a note to "Have a little treat on me" message. She also enjoyed playing cards and Bingo with her many friends and family.
Survivors include her children: Janet (Eric) Schauff, Lancaster; John (Michelle Hirsch) Muench, Prentice; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; her sisters-in-law: Lois Vorwald, Barbara Vorwald, Bernice Muench, Eileen Stelpflug; several nieces and nephews; and a daughter-in-law, Nancy Muench.
In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Leo, Helen was preceded in death by her son, Gary Muench; her brothers: Harry "Bud", Larry, Virgil, and Robert Vorwald; her in-laws: Norma Vorwald, Joanne Vorwald, Carl Muench, Cletus Stelpflug, Donald and Madeline Muench, Leroy and Sally Peterson, Gerald Muench, and a cousin she cared for, Herbie.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Father William Vernon officiating. Burial will be in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 12:00 noon until time of services at the church where a 11:30 a.m. rosary will be prayed. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is entrusted with her care. In lieu of plants and flowers, the family suggest memorials be given to the Lancaster Area Rescue Squad in memory of Helen T. Muench.
The family would like to thank all those who were instrumental in caring for Helen Muench over the years including Jean Brandemuehl, Jolene Millen, the staff at Atrium Post Acute Care, Lancaster Rescue Squad, neighbors, friends, and her loving and caring family. Most importantly, Helen Muench's extended family would like to thank their Aunt Janet Schauff for spending time every day, often several times per day, with her to allow Helen to be at home most of her life.