Helen E. Koza

Helen Emina Koza

1920 - 2009

Helen E. (Martinson) Koza, 89, of Morrison, CO, went to be with the Lord after suffering a stroke on Tuesday December 8, 2009. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. Helen is survived by her husband Frank of Morrison, CO; her daughter Susan (Alan) Scavone of Morrison, CO; her son Douglas (Janeen) Koza of Conifer, CO; and her daughter-in-law Nancy Koza of Columbia, MD. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jason Koza of Mansfield Center, CT; Christopher Caldwell of Broomfield, CO; Jenna and Steffany Koza of Conifer, CO; Joanna Scavone of Minneapolis, MN; her sisters-in-law Edna Homa and Shirley Martinson; her brother-in-law Dominic Miskinis; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her son Frank Koza, Jr., her parents, and her eight brothers and sisters.

Helen was born March 21, 1920 in Millville, MA to Alfred and Helen Martinson, the sixth of nine children. The family moved to Andover, MA where she graduated from high school in 1937. Helen then trained at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA to become a registered nurse and worked there between 1939 and 1946. She met Lt. Frank Koza, a pilot in the Army Air Corps, in 1945. They married on January 5, 1946 and made their home in Andover where they raised their three children. After their youngest child was in college, Helen and Frank began a series of moves to follow Frank's career, and in 1972 moved to Nantucket Island, MA; in 1973 to Madison, CT; in 1975 to Bedford, NH; and in 1978, they retired to Centerville, MA on Cape Cod. After nearly 23 years on the Cape, Helen and Frank moved to Madison, WI in 2001 to be near their daughter and her family, and then finally in 2005 moved to Morrison, CO to be near both their daughter's and youngest son's families.

Helen enjoyed reading, gardening, cooking, walking on the beaches of Cape Cod, travelling with Frank to visit with their children and travelling to see the national parks and all parts of our country. Throughout her life, her faith was central to all she did. She and Frank attended Free Christian Church in Andover, MA where she taught Sunday School and volunteered her time and talents. They enjoyed most of their retirement years attending Christ Chapel in Centerville, MA and West Middleton Lutheran Church in Verona, WI. Helen was a consummate homemaker, devoted wife of nearly 64 years, and beloved mother and grandmother. She was a kind and generous person who was always ready to help others. Her strong work ethic influenced all who knew her. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and maintained contact with many Swedish relatives throughout her life.

Despite suffering from serious health conditions during her later years, Helen maintained her positive outlook on life, her humor and her dignity. She never complained despite her discomfort and disabilities, and she always put the needs of others before her own. She will be deeply missed by her husband, children, grand children, family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2009 at the Newcomer Funeral Home – West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood, CO, with visitation beginning at 3:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to one of the following: Christ Chapel, 1200 Old Stage Rd., Centerville, MA 02632;
West Middleton Lutheran Church, 3763 Pioneer Rd., Verona, WI 53593; or the
Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203-4405