Helen Maxine Bortmas Voegler

Helen Maxine Bortmas Voegler, 80, of Butler, passed away Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Good Samaritan Hospice House in Wexford. Helen was born March 25, 1943 in Butler, PA and raised in a loving home on the family farm in Unionville with her parents, John Carl Bortmas and Virginia Ruth Patterson Bortmas. When she was 16, her family welcomed her baby sister Mary Ann. No matter the number of years between them, she and Mary Ann enjoyed a close and happy sisterhood that Helen treasured throughout their lives. After graduating from Butler Area High School, she earned a degree in Home Economics Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught Home Economics in New Castle Area School District and Slippery Rock Area School District. It was on a blind date that she met the love of her life William L. Voegler, and they married on June 21, 1969. They moved into a house near the family farm and two years later, welcomed their daughter Linda (Voegler Granite). At a time when many women were working outside the home, Helen chose to dedicate herself, her work, and her talents to her family. They grew most of their own vegetables in their backyard and she sewed beautiful clothing for Bill, Linda, and herself. Helen loved her whole family. She absolutely adored her granddaughters, Ana and Marissa Granite. She was very fond of her sister Mary Ann’s three sons, Carl, Howard, and Michael. Helen treasured lifelong friendships with a host of strong women from childhood, college, church, and 4-H. She loved meeting her friends for lunch and spending hours on the phone with them. If you called and the line was busy, you could easily guess that she and a friend would be talking for the next hour or more. Helen was a member and served as an Elder at Unionville Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Unionville Grange #1971, Butler Chapter #45, Order of the Eastern Star, served as an Advisory Board member for Meridian Chapter #94, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and was active in her membership of Butler County Professional Home Economic Club. In the Unionville 4-H Sewing Club Helen taught generations of young people how to sew. Helen and Bill also enjoyed friendships with the courageous people they met in the Unionville Fire Department, in which Bill was a member. Helen whole-heartedly supported her husband’s passion for firefighting, only occasionally saying, “if you want him to get something done, paint it red.” In her later years, Helen spent too many hours in doctor offices and hospital rooms. She couldn’t meet friends for lunch or shop at her favorite stores, but she kept her sense of humor throughout. She lived a life full of laughter, hard work, and putting family first. She cared deeply for the people she loved and will be missed. Surviving are her daughter, Linda (Evan) Voegler Granite of Wexford; granddaughters, Ana and Marissa Granite, sister-in-law Dorothy (James) Pink, nephews Richard (Jill) Pink, Carl Wagner, Howard (Becky) Wagner, and Michael (Ashley) Wagner and their families. In addition to her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her sister Mary Ann Wagner, and three vivacious poodles, Kramer, Putz, and Max. Friends will be received at Young Funeral Home, Ltd., 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Services will be held at Unionville Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1114 Sunset Drive Butler, PA 16001, on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Reverend Michelle Worzbyt officiating. Burial is private.

Helen Maxine Bortmas Voegler

March 25, 1943 - August 26, 2023