Helen Anastasia Varner

To view the recording of Helen's Funeral Mass, please scroll down to the service schedule and click "open video" under the funeral liturgy area.

Helen Anastasia Varner, 83-years-old, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 22, 2024 after a valiant fight with cancer. Her "Strong Like a Bull" will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through months of treatments.

Helen was born on August 17, 1940, in Midland, Michigan to the late Raymond and Bernice (Filcek) Fitak. She met her high school sweetheart, Earl Varner, and were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Midland, Michigan. Possessing a true servant's heart following in the footsteps of our Blessed Mother Mary, Helen faithfully cared for family, friends and the community through her cooking/baking, and multiple sewing projects. Many of her beautiful baby quilts and handmade items were donated to the Saint Gianna Maternity Home in Minot, South Dakota. As a woman of faith, Helen shaped our family's spirituality by her Christian example. She created hand-made rosaries for local church ministries and world missionary efforts. Helen was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Legion of Mary. She loved to garden, pray, line dance, play games/cards – especially with her grandchildren. In her retirement years, Helen and Earl traveled to many states, spending many winters among the beautiful mountain views in Apache Junction, Arizona and southwest Florida.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 64 years of marriage, Earl Varner, and children, Cynthia (Bob) Bixler, Blaine (preceded in death) Kristen Varner, Father Ricky Varner, Renay (Larry) Baker. Grandchildren, Robert (Theresa) Bixler, Matthew (Caitlin) Frezza, Alycia Frezza, Emma Frank, Bethany (Caleb) Newell, Kellen Bixler, Rian Varner, Ada (Andrew) Place, Zachary Varner, Anna Baker. Five (5) great grandchildren, and 1 great grandson soon to be born. Brother, John Fitak and sisters, Bernadine Gergash and Marie Bliesener, both preceded her in death.

The funeral Mass will be held at be held at 11 am on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 2500 N. W. River Road. Sanford, MI 48657. Her son, Father Ricky Varner, will be the celebrant with rite of committal to follow in Midland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home, 4210 N. Saginaw Road. Midland, MI 48640 and on Wednesday at the church from 10 am until the time of Mass. A Rosary will be led by her son, Father Ricky Varner on Tuesday evening at the funeral home at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 2500 N. W. River Road., Sanford, Michigan and Pregnancy Aid, 1025 E. Wheeler Street, Midland, Michigan.