Helen Milady Cross, 85 of Swisher, died on Sunday, June 19, 2016.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27, 2016 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW, where there will be a 1:45 p.m. rosary.  Private family inurnment will be in Shueyville Cemetery, Shueyville.

Helen was born April 24, 1931 in rural Shueyville, the daughter of Fred and Della (Rozek) Novotny.   She graduated from St. Wenceslaus High School class of 1949. Helen started her teaching career at Jefferson #5 & 6 one room school, where she served in all capacity.  She then went on to teach at St. Wenceslaus School and later worked at Prairie Schools, retiring in 1993.  She waitressed at Ranch Supper Club in Cou Falls for many years.  Helen was an active member of St. Wenceslaus, as well as volunteering with numerous local organizations.  She enjoyed quilting, traveling, being Babi and spending time with her family

Helen is survived by her children Anna (Terry) Warren of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Rita (Ed) Porter of Center Point, Vince (Sonja) Cross of Cedar Rapids, Paul Cross of Cedar Rapids and Dan (Julie) Cross of Shueyville; eleven grandchildren Shane (Valerie) Cross, Justin Porter, Adam Naughton, James Porter, Jeramiah Cross, Clay Cross, Jacob Witcombe, Clint Cross, Ivan Cross, Maria Cross and Jackson Cross; two great-grandchildren Kaelyn Cross and Nolan Cross; as well as her nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Mark Cross, her siblings Joe (Pauline) Novotny, Mary Rose (Elmer) Sedlacek, and Sr. Genevieve Novotny.

Memorials may be directed to Covenant House Toronto, 20 Gerrard Street East Toronto, Canada M5B2P3 in her name.