Helen Frances Gaida was born on July 18th, 1918 to parents Paul and Frances (Niezielski) Sakry. Helen was the youngest of 11 siblings. She spent her childhood on the family farm in Palmer Township, Sherburne County MN.
As a young girl Helen participated in 4-H earning a trip to the Horticultural Society in Minneapolis for her award winning garden project. Helen's other talents included sewing, knitting and painting.
Helen met Edmund Gaida at a Saturday night social. Helen had to beg her brother to take her along to the dance. While there, she noticed this young man with such curly hair she hoped he would ask her to dance. He did. Edmund Edward Gaida and Helen Frances Sakry were united in marriage on June 22, 1940 in Duelm, Mn. Their dance lasted a beautiful 72 years.
During WWII Helen was a War Bond Canvasser in St. Cloud, She canvassed the neighborhoods requesting donations for the war effort. She also worked at the Colonial Inn in Pinehill NY where she honed her hospitality skills.
Christmas Eve in the Gaida house was filled with love and laughter. Helen spent weeks planning the menu, preparing family favorites and shopping for Polish traditional treats.
Ed and Helen loved to travel. Together they traveled the United States and Europe gathering friends from every country. At one time their Christmas card list was over 100 people.
Helen was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.
Helen will be missed by her children, Michael (Mary) Gaida of Roseville, Mary Jo (Kim) Stevens of Prior Lake, Barb Gaida of White Bear Lake, John (Sheryl) Gaida of Victoria; 16 grandchildren, 18 plus one on the way great grandchildren.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Edmund; brother and sister in law, Ray and Angie Koenig, her parents Paul & Frances, and all the Sakry siblings: Joseph, Sally, Benjamin, Paul, Adeline, Getrude and Clara (twins), Clarence, Edward, Felix.
The Gaida family is thankful for having shared their lives with Helen.

Gaida,
Helen Frances
(nee Sakry)
Age 99 of Prior Lake
Preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Edmund and 10 sisters and brothers. Survived by children Michael (Mary) Gaida, Mary Jo (Kim) Stevens, Barb Gaida, and John (Sheryl) Gaida; 16 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren and one more on the way. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday (October 24, 2017) at 11:00 am at CERENITY CARE CENTER CHAPEL, 1900 Webber Street, White Bear Lake (parking also available on Florence Street) with visitation one hour before the Mass. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Cerenity Care Center.