Helen Seitzinger

July 11, 1923 - July 9, 2022

Helen (Kluchko) Seitzinger
July 11, 1923 – July 9, 2022
98 years of age

Helen Seitzinger passed away in the early morning hours of July 9, 2022, two days prior to her 99th birthday at Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton. Born in 1923 in Freeland, PA to parents Michael Kluchko and Susana Glitta, Helen had four siblings, brothers Michael and John Kluchko and sisters Anna DeMeritt and Miranda Stinardo.

Helen graduated from Foster Township HS, and at the age of 23, married Lawrence Gabriel in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Freeland, PA where she lived most of her life. While raising their two young sons Michael and Larry, Lawrence passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35. As a young widow, Helen persevered and worked as a store clerk and seamstress at Freeland Shirt Factory in the textile industry for many years to provide for her children. During this time, Helen hardened her ability to meet life’s many challenges through an unwavering faith and willingness to live fully. The time she spent in the textile business honed her sewing skills, which led Helen to create numerous quilts, knitted and crocheted afghan blankets for many family members well into her 80’s and 90’s. She was also an avid reader with an inquisitive mind and appetite to learn new ideas and perspectives.

In 1955, Helen later married Nick Siroki, of Freeland, PA, and had daughter Suzanne Siroki. Helen and Nick were devoted to their Catholic faith, and attended mass regularly at St. Mary’s Church as members of the altar and rosary society and church choir. Despite a modest lifestyle, Helen’s kitchen cupboards and pantry were never bare! She enjoyed cooking, baking, and canning – Helen often reached into her cookbooks to prepare traditional dishes from goulash, pierogies, halushki, and halupki to kiffles, poppy seed and nut rolls, regularly declaring ‘The kitchen is now closed!’ after all-day celebrations with family.

After Nick’s passing, Helen married a third time to her high school sweetheart, retired U.S. Air Force POW Pilot Major Robert Seitzinger. They lived happily for many years while taking trips to visit military friends and family members throughout the country.

Preceded in death by husbands Lawrence Gabriel, Nick Siroki and Robert Seitzinger; brothers Michael and John; sisters Anna and Miranda; son Michael and wife Patricia Gabriel, and grandson Anthony Gabriel, Helen is survived by her children, Larry Gabriel and wife Alyona, of Las Vegas, NV; Suzanne Siroki, and husband Dr. Leo Kratz of Gettysburg, PA; grandchildren Larry J., Tricia, Michael, and Matthew Gabriel and wife Jacquelyn, Ashley Gabriel and great grandchildren Dulcinea Alancata, Magnolia and Charlie Gabriel as well as several nieces and nephews. Helen’s many descendants from her marriage to Robert Seitzinger include daughters-in-law Jeanne Goff of Vancleave, MS, Betsy Barnette of Alpine, AL, seven step-grandchildren, 18 step-great grandchildren, and five step-great great grandchildren.

Viewing will be held 7-9 PM Thursday at McNulty Funeral Home at 494 E. Butler Drive Freeland, PA.
A panheida service will be held Thursday evening.
Graveside services will be celebrated on Saturday, July 16th at noon in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.