Helen Josephine Fathke, 96, of Avon

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 4, 2009 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon with burial in the church cemetery, rural Avon. Visitation is Wednesday from 11 AM until 7 PM, with the family present from 5-7 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Chapel in Avon.



Helen Josephine Fathke was born May 31, 1913 at Tyndall to Charles and Josephine (Soukup) Fryda. She passed away on her birthday, May 31, 2009 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Home in Tyndall at the age of 96 years.

Helen received her elementary education at the Equal Rights School in Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School in 1932.

Helen married Chester John Fathke at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon on August 12, 1938. Five children were born to their union. Together they farmed southeast of Avon. Chester died February 23, 1987. Helen became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall on March 6, 2006.

Helen was a member of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, served as a Deacon, and was a former member of Ladies Aide. Helen was also a member of Nova Neighbor's Extension Club and the Avon Flower Club.

Helen will be remembered for her enjoyment of flowers, gardening, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children, John (Jan) of Avon, SD; Don (Pauline) of Lexington Park, MD; Ron (Elaine) of Parker, SD; Shirley (Al) Wiebenga of Sioux Falls, SD; Mel (Brenda) Fathke of Avon, South Dakota; twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Helen was proceeded in death by her parents, Charles and Josephine Fryda; her husband, Chester; a granddaughter, Tara Elizabeth Fathke, and a great-granddaughter, Carly Jo Fathke.