Helen Rosalee Zipprich

ROSALEE ZIPPRICH

JERSEYVILLE — Helen Rosalee Zipprich, 87, died at 11:15 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born in Hamburg on March 18, 1928, and was the daughter of the late Raleigh and Mayme (Dirksmeyer) Praul.

Rosalee graduated in 1946 from Hardin High School, and soon began working as a secretary for the principal at the same high school.

She married Robert Anthony Zipprich Sr., on May 1, 1948 at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Michael, Ill., and together they were the proud parents of nine children and shared 58 years together before his death on Aug. 21, 2006.

Rosalee was a loving and devoted mother, and after she had raised her children, she returned to school, and earned her B.S. in History at SIU-E, where she also minored in pyschology. For a short time, she student taught at Illini Junior High School in Jerseyville, and served as an executive secretary for the American Red Cross for many years.

Surviving are her children and their spouses, Gregory and Nancy Zipprich of Morris, Robert Jr. and Kathy Zipprich of Jacksonville, Kathy and Dennis Fester of Jerseyville, Joseph and Sandra Zipprich of Collinsville, Chris and Don Maness of Jerseyville, and Steve and Stacy Zipprich of Jerseyville; two daughters-in-law and their spouses, JoAnn and Bill Thode of South Dakota, and Theresa and Aaron Steckel of Jerseyville; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Rita Knight of Kampsville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth Zipprich and William Zipprich; a daughter, Rebecca Mulvaney; a brother, Ray Praul; and two sisters, Margaret Gress and Mary Dennis.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.

Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to either the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools, Jerseyville Public Library, Blessing Hospice of Greene County or to Masses.