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Helen McDonnell Obituary
Born: December 20, 1944; Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Died: March 11, 2021; Sterling
STERLING – Helen E. McDonnell, 96 of Sterling, died Thursday, March 11, 2021 at Morningside of Sterling.
Helen was born on December 20, 1924 in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the daughter of Otto and Mabel (Kauth) Krumrei. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in CA, then attended Walther Lutheran School of Nursing. After receiving her nursing certificate, Helen worked as a registered nurse at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. She married Dr. John J. McDonnell on June 22, 1950 in Sterling. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2006. Helen was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling.
Survivors include her five children, Sue (Jim) Olson of Sterling, Patty Clark of Olathe, KS, John (Priscilla) McDonnell of Frankfort, IL, Janet (John) Conneely of Chicago and Tim (Kelly) McDonnell of Wichita, KS; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. John McDonnell; parents and in-laws, Thomas and Margareth McDonnell; three brothers-in-law, Patrick McDonnell, Dr. Thomas McDonnell and Rev. Francis McDonnell; one sister-in-law, Eileen McDonnell; and one nephew, Patrick McDonnell.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 12 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sterling with Reverend Bruce Ludeke and Reverend Paul White, con-celebrating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Newman Central Catholic High School and St. Mary's Grade School in Sterling.
For online condolences, please visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen McDonnell
Sponsored by McDonald Funeral Home, Inc. - Rock Falls.
Alissa Golden
March 19, 2021
We loved taking care of Helen. Such a wonderful women.
Bob Cesarek
March 17, 2021
Sue and family,
Just wanted to extend my condolences upon the loss of your mother.
It appears that she lived a full life.
Peace be with you and your loved ones.
Bob Cesarek
Loretta Spromberg
March 17, 2021
Dear McDonnell Family, God bless your dear Mom and all your family. She was a lovely and gracious lady. Loretta (Lori Perino) Spromberg
Bill Nieman
March 16, 2021
Sue, Janet, Patty, John and Tim -
Very sorry to hear that your mom has passed away. What a great life she lived and how blessed she was by it. She surely was very proud of you all and grateful for the love you showed her. As you miss her now, you must be happy for the peace she has found. My condolences to you all.
Jack Schrauth
March 16, 2021
I offer my sincere condolences to all of you.
All I can say is they better have their act together "Up There" or they are going to hear about it!
Blessings for Helen and for all of you of whom she was so proud and loved so much.
Jack Schrauth
Timothy Gibbons
March 12, 2021
Death is nothing at all- I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way, which you always used to, laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for your, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the corner. All is well. Nothing has passed; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever-we will all be one together with Christ.
(Tallow Carmel-Ireland)
Kelly Eberley
March 14, 2021
Sue, Janet, Patty, John and Tim; My deepest sympathies to each of you on the loss of your Mother. She was a kind, sweet, caring and loving woman. She loved each one of you along with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and deeply. She was very proud of ALL of you and thoroughly enjoyed sharing your life's activities and achievements in her annual Christmas Card. One of my childhood memories is our family receiving a plate of Christmas Cookies from her every year. She reached out to me by phone in 2010 to give me words of support and comfort when she heard that my first husband had suddenly died and it meant so much to me that she took the time to do that. She will be missed. She will be remembered fondly. May memories bring you peace and comfort in the coming days and months.
Craig Beveroth
March 13, 2021
Helen was the embodiment of a saint. Humble and always caring, along with being a knock-out cook (best pies in town). We (Chuck, Dan, & Jodie) met through Susan during college, and were friends until her death. She and Big John (as we called him) were like 2nd parents...putting up with our shenanigans and giving us guidance when we asked. Many Sunday nights were spent in her kitchen over dinner...she introduced me to gravy sandwiches.
God bless you Helen. With your passing, an era has ended. You will be missed by many.
Marcia Blum
March 13, 2021
Dear Sue, Janet,Patty, John , and Tim,
Your dear mother was an amazing lady who made everyone feel loved and treasured . She was a warm and welcoming person . She stood up for her beliefs . She was practical . She had a strong faith. She was an integral part of our heritage . We gratefully accepted her "adopting us " after mother died .( We loved her calling us , Dolly )
Our hearts are sad .
We will miss her , too.
May all of your happy memories surround you with comfort .
With prayers and love,
Rita Ann and Marcia
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