Helen Zapalac

Helen (Smajstrla) Zapalac, age 90, of West, passed away early Saturday morning, July 31, 2021 at West Rest Haven in West. Per Helen's request, private services will be held at a later date. Helen was born August 12, 1930 in Cottonwood near West, the daughter of Ed and Annie (Holecek) Smajstrla. She grew up on the family farm where she helped take care of the home and picked cotton in the fields with her brothers. She attended the old Cottonwood School and was a 1948 graduate of West High School. On September 6, 1948 she was united in marriage to Jerry Zapalac in West. Jerry preceded her in death on January 24, 2006. Helen was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West. She was also a member of SPJST Cottonwood Lodge #6. Helen was co-owner of the Ben Franklin Store in Hillsboro, West Hardware and West Food Mart until retiring in 1997. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Helen is also preceded in death by her parents; her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Steve Wallace; and a brother, George X. Smajstrla. Survivors include her sons, Wayne Zapalac and wife Melinda and Mark Zapalac and wife Cindy, all of West; a brother, Edward Smajstrla; her grandchildren, Jason Zapalac and wife Marissa, Josh Zapalac and wife Allison, Jeff Zapalac, and Carla Walker and husband Colin; great grandchildren, Luke & Maddie Zapalac and Aubrey & Addison Walker; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Jason Zapalac, Jeff Zapalac, Josh Zapalac, Colin Walker, B.J. Lander and Emanuel Mitchell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Ambulance Association.