Obituary of Helen Caroline Willamina Hesterberg
Helen Caroline Willamina (Steinmann) Hesterberg, age 94, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the home of her daughter in Monroe, Michigan.
Helen was born on September 3, 1923 in Hamel, Illinois. Helen was the first-born daughter of Walter and Bertha (Reising) Steinmann of Hamel, Illinios. Helen was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hamel, Illinois and then married Alfred Hesterberg there on May 12, 1946. They resided in Litchfield, Illinois where they took on the farming occupation. She was a farm wife for twenty years and then took a job at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield as a school cook. She held that position for almost forty years. Even though she retired from the head cook position she was there volunteering every day until she moved to Monroe, Michigan in 2014 where she lived with her daughter and family.
Helen was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and was a member of the Ladies Aid Society, LWML, and the church choir for sixty plus years. She served as secretary/treasurer for the Aid Association for Lutherans (Thrivent) branch at Zion for nineteen years and was a dedicated volunteer at Zion church and school for many years. Helen loved to cook and bake and before she lost her eyesight she loved to do cross-stitch, embroidery, and crochet. She also loved to mow grass, garden, and can and freeze the produce that came from her garden. Helen was a dedicated St. Louis Cardinal fan all her life, she was proud that she had attended games in all of the stadiums that have been built in St. Louis. She enjoyed watching them on television or listening to them on the radio on a regular basis.
Helen is survived by her daughter Linda (Kevin) Weilnau of Monroe; grandchildren: David (Kim) Weilnau of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Jeanette Wielnau of Saginaw, Michigan, Joseph Weilnau of Monroe; and great grandchildren: Jenna, Jaclyn, and Danielle Wielnau of Siloam Springs, Arkanasas. She is also survived by her sisters: Frieda (Leo) Maack of Collinsville, Illinois, Ruth Sievers of Staunton, Illinios, Verna (Leroy) Langendorf of Hamel, Illinois, Norma Steinmann of Hamel, Illinios, and sisters-in-law: Lynn Steinmann and Judy Steinmann of Hamel, Illinois. Helen is survived by brother-in-law: Walter (Arlene) Hesterberg of Bethalto, Illinois, and Erma Hesterberg of Pontiac, Illinois, and Ruth Wagner of Columbus, Ohio; and by several nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Alfred Hesterberg on September 17, 1999, her sister and brother-in-law: Wilma and Vernon Renken; her brothers: Paul and Harry Steinmann; and her brother-in-law: Walter Sievers.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers a monetary gift be given to KFUO Radio Station or to the “Onward in Faith” capital campaign at Zion Lutheran Church and School.