Louise E. (Hellstern) Mraz

Massillon-Louise E. (Hellstern) Mraz, age 94, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2025 at Danbury Massillon where she had resided the past seven months.

Louise was born May 22, 1930 in Canton, a daughter of the late Max J. and Cecelia Heizmann Hellstern and had lived in the Canton and Massillon area most of her life.

Louise was a proud 1951 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing  and was instrumental in keeping in touch with her classmates with annual reunions for over 50 years. She was a superior caregiver over the years, first as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital, later at the House of Loreto, and always for numerous family members and friends.

She had been a member of the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist where she had served on the Altar Guild and was a Eucharistic Minister. More recently, she was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Canton and participated in the Hope Ministry and the St. Michael’s Garden Club. Over the years she enjoyed card clubs and square dancing.

She married her beloved husband, William J. Mraz, November 29, 1952. Together they nurtured their nine children, and she faithfully cared for Bill his last few years, always setting a positive example.  He preceded her in death on October 16, 2008.

Her family was always her pride and joy. She is survived by her nine children and their spouses, Chuck and Marilyn Mraz, Norcross, GA, Mark Mraz, Boston, MA, Stephen Mraz, Cleveland, Ellen and Jon Rettig, Sr., Columbiana, Andrea and Mark Byrd, Canton, Christopher and Louise (Sis) Mraz, Newark, Marianne and Fred Barbaro, Beavercreek, Regina and Jeffrey Russell, Canal Fulton and Monica and Michael Zernic, Highland Heights.

She also showered her love and attention on her grandchildren, Charlie (Kelly), Jason (Kelly) and Ashley (Charlie); Jon Jr. (Nicole), Joshua (Niki), Joseph (Amanda) and Jean; Jared (Elizabeth), Lauren (Jon) and Evan; Billy (Christina), Sarah, Danny, Andy and Becca; Emily and Anderson (Nikki); and Mikayla and Max (Riley);  fourteen great grandchildren and six nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Elfriede Repp and her only niece, Laura A. Mraz.

Friends will be received from 2-5 pm Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the Wackerly Funeral Home, Canton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Monday, March 24, 2025 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Canton with Fr. Benson Opkara as celebrant.

She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Calvary Cemetery, Massillon.

Material tributes in memory of Louise may be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation c/o P.O. Box 58 Jackson, MI 49204 or St. Michael’s Church c/o 3430 St. Michael’s Blvd. N.W. Canton, OH 44718.

Massillon-Louise E. (Hellstern) Mraz, age 94, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, March 9, 2025 at Danbury Massillon where she had resided the past seven months.

Louise was born May 22, 1930 in Canton, a daughter of the late Max J. and Cecelia Heizmann Hellstern and had lived in the Canton and Massillon area most of her life.

Louise was a proud 1951 graduate of the Mercy School of Nursing  and was instrumental in keeping in touch with her classmates with annual reunions for over 50 years. She was a superior caregiver over the years, first as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital, later at the House of Loreto, and always for numerous family members and friends.

She had been a member of the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist where she had served on the Altar Guild and was a Eucharistic Minister. More recently, she was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Canton and participated in the Hope Ministry and the St. Michael’s Garden Club. Over the years she enjoyed card clubs and square dancing.

She married her beloved husband, William J. Mraz, November 29, 1952. Together they nurtured their nine children, and she faithfully cared for Bill his last few years, always setting a positive example.  He preceded her in death on October 16, 2008.

Her family was always her pride and joy. She is survived by her nine children and their spouses, Chuck and Marilyn Mraz, Norcross, GA, Mark Mraz, Boston, MA, Stephen Mraz, Cleveland, Ellen and Jon Rettig, Sr., Columbiana, Andrea and Mark Byrd, Canton, Christopher and Louise (Sis) Mraz, Newark, Marianne and Fred Barbaro, Beavercreek, Regina and Jeffrey Russell, Canal Fulton and Monica and Michael Zernic, Highland Heights.

She also showered her love and attention on her grandchildren, Charlie (Kelly), Jason (Kelly) and Ashley (Charlie); Jon Jr. (Nicole), Joshua (Niki), Joseph (Amanda) and Jean; Jared (Elizabeth), Lauren (Jon) and Evan; Billy (Christina), Sarah, Danny, Andy and Becca; Emily and Anderson (Nikki); and Mikayla and Max (Riley);  fourteen great grandchildren and six nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Elfriede Repp and her only niece, Laura A. Mraz.

Friends will be received from 2-5 pm Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the Wackerly Funeral Home, Canton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am Monday, March 24, 2025 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Canton with Fr. Benson Opkara as celebrant.

She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Calvary Cemetery.

Material tributes in memory of Louise may be made to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation c/o P.O. Box 58 Jackson, MI 49204 or St. Michael’s Church c/o 3430 St. Michael’s Blvd. N.W. Canton, OH 44718.

The Funeral Mass may be viewed online at www.stmichaelcanton.org/funeralservices

Elara Caring Hospice Foundation
P.O. Box 58, Jackson MI 49204

St. Michael’s Church
3430 St. Michael’s Blvd. N.W., Canton OH 44718