Helene Swank

Helene Swank {Kaderle} of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio passed away on May 22, 2024 at the age of 76. She was born in Linz, Austria on May 17, 1948, the second oldest of five children. Together with her family she immigrated to the United States in 1956 and made a home in Akron, Ohio. Helene attended Zion Lutheran Grade School and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She graduated from Garfield High School in 1966. Two years later on April 20, 1968 she married her husband of 56 years, Donald W. Swank. They had two children. Helene was a loyal, hardworking employee and manager of Luigi’s restaurant for 30 years. She switched careers and worked for BP and Blimpie Subs for additional decade. Helene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. For a good reason she was in charge of every kitchen regardless of whose house she was in. She was always outgoing, cheerful, and compassionate, insistent on feeding and caring for her family and friends with her well known culinary and baking expertise. She loved to cook, bake, play cards and games with her family, win everything at her Bingo outings, and brightened every room with her years of knowledge and wisdom.

Helene was preceded in death by her parents, Jakob Kaderle in 1987, and Maria Kaderle in 2020. She is survived by her Husband, Donald W. Swank, of Cuyahoga Falls; children Terry J. Swank of Newcastle, PA and Rhonda Swank of Cuyahoga Falls; siblings Elsie (Larry) Ager of Cape Coral, FL; Christine George (Donald, deceased) of New Franklin; Erika Kaderle of Stow; and Robert Kaderle of Montville; grandchildren Kristin Cremeans and Kayla Cremeans of Akron; many nieces, nephews, and extended family in the United States, Austria, and Germany. Helene was in and out of hospitals and hospice care for various illnesses in the last year of her life. A special thank you to her daughter Rhonda and the family and friends that made her final days and months a bit easier and brighter for Helene.

All are welcome to visit at Zion Lutheran Church, 139 S. High St. Akron, OH 44308 on Thursday, May 30th from 11:00 AM for calling hours until the funeral service that begins at 12:00 PM. with Pastor Keith Johnson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Northlawn Memorial Gardens, where Helene will be laid to rest.