Goodbye Aunt Helen - Helen L. Thomason
My aunt by marriage, Helen Thomason passed away this Wednesday. Ever optimistic, caring and thoughtful, Helen embodied the positive spirit that many local residents still have despite our local social and economic struggles. Family came first to Helen, and when I started dating her niece Denise, now my wife, Helen was warm and welcoming and frequently asked about my own family. So easy to talk to, so willing to listen, I soon felt Helen had been my aunt my entire life. Goodbye Aunt Helen.
Paul Gorski,
Editor, Winnebagocountynews.org
Helen L. Thomason, 91, of Rockford, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born June 3, 1921, in Modesto, Ill., the daughter of Joseph and Nellie (Jones) Seymour. Helen was a 1938 graduate of Rockford High School. She married Runard A. Thomason Oct. 18, 1941, in Kirkwood, Mo., he predeceased her Dec. 1, 1992. Helen was a book keeper and secretary at Clayton Andrews and Bud Green real estate offices, Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Ingrassia Furniture Company and as a retail clerk at Marshall Fields. She was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She is survived by her son, Stephen of Rockford; granddaughters, Denise Feldman, Michele (David) Harezlak, Melissa (Scott) Johnson, Dana (Tom) Ping all of Rockford, Jenifer (Sean) Berthold of Wauwatosa, Wis., and Julie Koch of Milwaukee, Wis.; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great- great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Judge Charles R. Simpson of Sarasota, Fla.; son-in-law, Dennis (Roxy) Koch of Lodi, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her daughter, Linda Koch; 3 brothers; 3 sisters; granddaughter, Debra Allen; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Thomason; and sister-in-law, Ruth Simpson. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave. with Rev. Dr. Loren Nielsen officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. prior to the service in the chapel. The family prefers memorials to a charity to be determined later.
Paul Gorski,
Editor, Winnebagocountynews.org
Helen L. Thomason, 91, of Rockford, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. Born June 3, 1921, in Modesto, Ill., the daughter of Joseph and Nellie (Jones) Seymour. Helen was a 1938 graduate of Rockford High School. She married Runard A. Thomason Oct. 18, 1941, in Kirkwood, Mo., he predeceased her Dec. 1, 1992. Helen was a book keeper and secretary at Clayton Andrews and Bud Green real estate offices, Illinois Bell Telephone Company, Ingrassia Furniture Company and as a retail clerk at Marshall Fields. She was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She is survived by her son, Stephen of Rockford; granddaughters, Denise Feldman, Michele (David) Harezlak, Melissa (Scott) Johnson, Dana (Tom) Ping all of Rockford, Jenifer (Sean) Berthold of Wauwatosa, Wis., and Julie Koch of Milwaukee, Wis.; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great- great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Judge Charles R. Simpson of Sarasota, Fla.; son-in-law, Dennis (Roxy) Koch of Lodi, Wis.; and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her daughter, Linda Koch; 3 brothers; 3 sisters; granddaughter, Debra Allen; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Thomason; and sister-in-law, Ruth Simpson. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave. with Rev. Dr. Loren Nielsen officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. prior to the service in the chapel. The family prefers memorials to a charity to be determined later.