Helen Marie Studnar

Helen Marie Studnar, 84, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, at home, surrounded by loving family members. Helen was born on November 2, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Helen (Bubnovich) Stark. She graduated from Saint Francis de Sales High School in 1956. Helen married her loving husband of 65 years, Robert “Bob” Studnar, in Chicago in 1957.

While raising her young family of four children, Helen was employed in the educational office of Republic Steel, in Chicago IL. Upon relocating with her husband and children to Oakland, AR in 1972, she obtained a position as Office Manager at Key Realty in Mountain Home, AR. In 1976, Helen gave birth to her fifth child, completing her family of five, two boys and three girls. While residing in Oakland, Helen took pride in being a member of the Oakland, AR Community Association, where she studied and became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), for the community’s Volunteer Fire Department in the late 1970’s.
In 1987, Helen followed her passion for sewing by accepting an offer as a seamstress in the custom drapery workroom of The Window Place, located in Mountain Home, AR and in 1994, the family moved from Oakland to Mountain Home. In 1999, after becoming familiar with all aspects of the business and trade, Helen purchased The Window Place. As proprietor, she incorporated the business to The Window Place, Inc. and took pride in branding it with her well thought slogan, “Improving Your Outlook on Life.” Helen retired from her flourishing, professional career as a business owner in 2018.

Helen served her community for years as a volunteer at The Mountain Home Christian Clinic. Helen spent her leisure time sewing, knitting, bowling, and reading. Her absolute favorite pastime was spending time with her family and friends.

Helen was a parishioner of Saint Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Mountain Home.
Helen is survived by her children, Karen Truell, Sally (Richard) Long, Jared (Catrina) Studnar, Ellen (Tony) Griesi, all of Mountain Home, and Bobby (Sue) Studnar, of Summit, AR; two sisters, Mary (David) Weber, of Mercer Island, WA, and Margy (Randy) Karstetter, of Auburn, WA; 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Ena Stark.

Visitation will be Monday, February 20, 2023 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home, 600 Hospital Drive, Mountain Home, AR. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in her honor at St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church, 249 Dyer Street, Mountain Home, AR on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11:00 am with Father Norbert Rappold, as Celebrant. A luncheon gathering will follow Mass at the Church Hall. Burial will be private.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Home Christian Clinic, Hospice of the Ozarks, or Saint Vincent De Paul Society at Saint Peters the Fisherman Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com .