Helen L Klepzig
(December 08, 1918 – December 27, 2012)
Helen was born on December 8, 1918 to Charles William Augustus Juhnke and Sarah Elizabeth (Lovins) Juhnke in Windsor, Illinois. Helen loved to tell the story about the house in which she was born in rural Windsor which formerly was a hotel where Abraham Lincoln stayed on his journeys to Vandalia.
She graduated from Windsor High School in 1936 and was involved in several high school musicals, plays, and operettas. Helen loved music and often sang in duets, trios, and sextets at Windsor High School, then at nursing school and church. In the high school orchestra she played the piano for one year and the violin for three years.
Following high school, Helen pursued her nursing degree at the West Suburban School of Nursing in Oak Park, Illinois. After graduating, she worked and received additional pediatric specialty training at Chicago Pediatric Memorial Hospital. After returning to central Illinois, Helen worked as a private duty nurse in hospitals and various homes in the area.
She married Irvin Ray Klepzig on January, 7, 1942. Together, they had three children. They were happily married for 31 years, until his passing in 1973.
Helen worked for 34 years as a dedicated nurse at Shelbyville Memorial Hospital, serving as a Floor Supervisor, Night Supervisor, and Emergency Room Nurse. She was known for her use of a flashlight to kindheartedly check on patients during the darkness of night. Helen compassionately served her patients until she retired at the age of 80.
Helen was also a devoted member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Shelbyville, where, in earlier years, she taught Sunday School, played the piano and was a church organist.
Above all, Helen was dedicated to her family. Whether she was enjoying birthday parties, celebrating Thanksgivings at Marilyn’s house in Aurora, listening to Carol play the flute, or spending time with Jim, Helen always loved to be among her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Surviving Helen are her son, James (JoAnn) Klepzig; daughter, Marilyn Healy; and daughter, Carol (Mike) Gaddis, all of Shelbyville. Six grandchildren: Laura Klepzig (Dino) Dabezic of Naperville; Michael (Ashley) Klepzig of Altamont; Paul Healy of Aurora; Anne Healy (Bradley) Sill of Norfolk, Virginia; Kristin Gaddis (Andrew) Young of Decatur; and Bryan Gaddis of Shelbyville. Five great-grandchildren: Dilen, Elijana, and Aden Dabezic and William and Harrison Klepzig. Also surviving is her sister, Dorothy Lucille (Delmar) Shafer of Windsor and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Irvin; her brother, Charles William (Bill) Juhnke; and son-in-law, William (Bill) Healy.
Following the service, her body will lovingly be laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or Shelbyville Memorial Hospital.
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