Helen Marcella Ober

Helen died peacefully at her daughter's home in Illinois on July 9, 2025.

Helen Marcella Waldal was born on October 28, 1935, in Minnesota to Alfred and Rose Waldal. She grew up on the family farm in Plummer, Minnesota with four sisters and five older half-siblings. She graduated from Pershing High School in 1953. Shortly after high school, Helen followed her older sisters to Gary, Indiana for work.

Helen married Wayne Ober on October 12, 1957, in Gary, Indiana. Helen and Wayne moved from Illinois to Michigan in 1965 and then to Flat Rock, Michigan, in 1969, where they lived for over 51 years. Helen loved spending time with her immediate family, extended family, sisters, nieces, nephews, many friends, Woodhaven Kmart co-workers, and her very dear church friends at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Flat Rock, Michigan, where she was an involved, dedicated, and faithful member.

Helen enjoyed visiting her family in Minnesota and traveling all over the country and Canada to see her children and grandchildren. Helen loved all her grandchildren dearly and selflessly gave them much of her time and energy. Additionally, she especially loved her summer "sisters" trips over the years to different locations across the United States, where countless games of "Hand and Foot" were played. She will be fondly remembered as the grandma with an incredible knack for technology. Helen always made an effort, whether she was making a computer-generated birthday card, a unique church fundraiser flyer, or messaging friends on her iPad.

Helen is survived by her children Robert (Susie) Ober of San Antonio, TX; Bruce Ober of Las Vegas, NV; Gloria (Roy) Cox of Gurnee, IL; former daughters-in-law, Janet Ober of Rockwood, MI and Kim Morin of Vista, CA. Grandchildren include Alex Ober of Albuquerque, NM; Matthew Ober of Harrison, MI; Caroline (Robin) Kelner of Spicewood, TX; Ryan (Mindy Pak) Ober of Colorado Springs, CO; Michael Ober of Trinidad, CO; Andrew (Kasey Dobias) Ober of Princeton, TX; Christina (Rocky Mendoza) Ober of Las Vegas, NV; Jake Cox of Palm Desert, CA; Adam (Frankie Gambino) Cox of Chicago, IL; Mitchell (Leah) Cox of Golden, CO; and Ava Cox of Gurnee, IL. Along with ten great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her very special sister Rose McDonald of Portage, IN; her "extra" sister, Cousin Audrey Powers of Sebastian, FL; special niece Kaye Buluarte of Philadelphia, PA; along with many other nieces, nephews, family, and special friends.

Helen was preceded in death by son, Gregory, in 1991, and husband, Wayne, in December 2021. As well as her sisters, Marie, Beatrice, and Carolyn.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Pastor Kevin Radditz of St. John Lutheran Church in Libertyville, IL for the home and hospital visits during the past year and Suncrest Hospice for their guidance through the last few months.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Bobcean Funeral Home, 26307 E. Huron River Drive, Flat Rock, MI on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 2 pm to 6 pm. She will lay instate Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12 pm until time of funeral service at 1 pm at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 25375 E. Huron River Drive, Flat Rock. Interment at Huron Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church-Flat Rock, MI ATTN: Women's Guild or St. John Lutheran Church-Libertyville, IL

ATTN: Pregnancy Counseling Center.