Helen Strassburger Obituary

MATTOON -- Helen Strassburger, age 93, of Mattoon, Illinois, formerly of Champaign and Charleston, Illinois, passed away at the Mattoon Health Care Center, Mattoon, Illinois at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. Funeral services in tribute to her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3,2004 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Charleston, Illinois. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. immediately preceding the funeral services on Saturday morning at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Charleston, Illinois. The Owens Funeral Home, Champaign, Illinois is in charge of the funeral services. Helen was born April 10, 1910 in Cerro Gordo, Illinois, a daughter of Abraham and Della ( Wrightsman) Gehman. She was united in marriage with Raymond Peter Strassburger August 6, 1928 in Springfield, Illinois. They resided in Springfield, Decatur and Champaign, Illinois. Her loving husband died in 1986. Helen resided in the Charleston, Illinois area from 1993 until her death. Survivors include three daughters, Elizabeth "Betty" Engelbrecht (Louis Engelbrecht, deceased) of Charleston, Illinois, Irene Schlorff (Fred) of Champaign, Illinois and Mary Alice Kramer (Henry E. "Woody") of Charleston, Illinois, 12 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. One brother, Howard Gehman predeceased her. Her two nieces Jackie Weenink of Tallahassee, Florida and Elaine Rogers of Oconomowac, Wisconsin both survive. Surviving grandchildren are: Michael Engelbrecht (Ana Basecki) of Henry, Illinois, Annemarie Jadlowski (John) of Western Springs, Illinois, Donald Schlorff (Mary) of Philo, Illinois, Elaine Schlorff of Tolono, Illinois, Robert Schlorff (Genny) of Sadorus, Illinois, Helen Bamberger (Joey) Texas, Liane Foerder (Mark) of Noblesville, Indiana, Alice Dutler (Michael) of Vernon Hills, Illinois, Kevin Kramer (Tracy), of Chicago, Illinois, Letha Kramer and friend Gena of Tilton, Illinois, Ellen Ericson (Bryan) of Urbana, Illinois, and Lauren Kramer of Charleston, Illinois. Helen enjoyed a loving long relationship of 58 years with her devoted husband Ray until his death in 1986. She was a great cook, loved to travel and was an avid bridge player. Helen donated many hours working at the Mercy Hospital Resale Shop in Champaign, Illinois and various organizations associated with Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champaign and the Hays Center for Senior Citizens. She prided herself to be able to work at the Hays Center for Senior Citizens well into her 80's. She was a good samaritan -- always being available to family, friends and strangers in need. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Charles Catholic Church in Charleston, Illinois or to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champaign, Illinois. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.

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Published by Journal Gazette & Times-Courier on Apr. 1, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
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Elaine Schlorff

April 7, 2004

Grandma......no one made peanut brittle like yours!!!!!

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