Helga Lavicky

Helga Lavicky, age 88, of Enid, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, January 18, 2026, at Greenbrier Nursing Home.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Ladusau-Evans Chapel, with Rev. Jim Edmison officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Helga was born on November 16, 1937, in Weingarten, Germany, to Heinrich and Elsa (Gross) Breitenstein. She received her education in Weingarten, attending school from first through eighth grade, completing her required schooling at the young age of fourteen and a half. She then continued her education for one year in Karlsruhe. Helga began her working life at a factory in Weingarten, where she was employed for several years. Wanting to further her skills, she later attended shorthand and typing school in Karlsruhe, which led to a position at Industrie Werke Karlsruhe, a large manufacturing company. Each day, she faithfully traveled by train from Weingarten to Karlsruhe for work.

Helga's life took a beautiful turn when she met Charlie Lavicky, an American Army serviceman with the 175th Engineer Company who was stationed in Ettlingen, Germany. His duties included assisting with U.S.-German relations and helping clear the hills surrounding Weingarten so local residents could grow grapes. Introduced by Helga's cousin Irma, it was love at first sight for Charlie. The two were married on February 10, 1961, beginning a devoted marriage that lasted until Charlie's passing on May 12, 2024. On July 31, 1961, at the age of 23, she and Charlie left Germany and arrived in New Jersey, eventually making the United States their home, moving to Enid in 1965. Helga proudly became a United States citizen in October 1976. Together, Charlie and Helga built both a family and a business. On August 20, 1978, they founded Charlie Lavicky Sand, Gravel and Building Materials, where Helga played an essential role handling orders and bookkeeping.

After retirement, they cherished their time together, enjoying boating and fishing with family and friends, visiting casinos, playing cards, and especially playing bingo. Helga will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her devotion to family, and her quiet determination as she built a meaningful life far from her homeland.

She is survived by her children: Don (Tina) Lavicky, Deborah (Jack) Marshall, Donna (Bobby) Smith, and Desiree (Joe) Highberger; grandchildren: Elijah (Layne) Lavicky, Nicky Marshall, Tyler Marshall, Jordan (Eddie) Suchite, Hunter (Jakawan) Klein, Blake Highberger, Breydon (Grace) Renard, Ethan Renard, Noah Lavicky, Mia Lavicky, Lauren (Charles) Belcher; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Erna Schafer and Margarita Breitenstein; and a nephew, Steffen Schafer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Heinrich and Elsa Breitenstein, and her beloved husband, Charlie Lavicky.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Circle of Love with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory serving as custodians of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared, and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.