Helen R. Kritzman, 96, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at StoryPoint West. She was born in Fort Wayne on July 19, 1929, the daughter of (the late) Edwin and Mathilda (Ehrmann) Huntine. In addition to her parents, Helen was also preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Darvin J. "Yogi" Kritzman; and three grandchildren, Mike Hamlin, Stephanie Aerts, and Neil Linsky.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Karen Kritzman and Mickie Walters, both of Fort Wayne, and Judy (Michael) Hamlin of Oregon City OR; grandchildren, Chris (Mike) Mataraza, Deena (Ali) Mehdikhan, Matt Hamlin, Jim (Erin) Aerts, Jolene (Ira) Robinson, Holly (Travis) Hemsoth, and Tony Kurtz; great-grandchildren, Michael (Lindsey) Mataraza,  Shane (Brittany) Mataraza, Josh (Teresa) Mehdikhan, Kori (Travis) Mead, CJ Aerts, Aubree Aerts, Layla Hemsoth, Seely Hemsoth, Sawyer Hemsoth, and Crosby Hemsoth; great-great-grandchildren, Gionni, Mila, Lena, Mikey, Rylee and Madison Mataraza and Blakely Mead.

She was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church and actively participated in local Democratic Party politics, as well as cofounding the Women's Firefighters' Auxiliary.

Helen was laid to rest privately at Highland Park Cemetery. Her family is planning a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Arrangements are through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, located at 3500 Lake Ave. The family's preferred memorials are to the ASPCA Humane Fort Wayne, online at https://humanefw.org/donate, or by mail to 901 Leesburg Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808; or to Riley Children's Hospital, online at https://rileychildrens.org/about/waystogive, or by mail to 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202; or to the Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum, by mail to 226 W. Washington St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. To share a memory of Helen or offer condolences to her family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com .

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord,

and let Perpetual Light shine upon her.

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