Helen J. Gebke

Saturday December 1, 2012

9:00 to 11:00 am

Saturday December 1, 2012

11:00 am

St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Bartelso

Helen J. Gebke 85 of Albers and formerly of Bartelso, died Wednesday November 28th, 2012 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 10th, 1927, in Bartelso, daughter of Herman and Cecilia (Varel) Koopmann. She married Cornelius Gebke on June 18th, 1946, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso and he preceded her in death on March 13th, 1995.
Survivors include two sons Kenneth Gebke and wife, Nancy, of Vandalia and Cornie Jr. and wife, Theresa of Bartelso; two daughters, Brenda Porterfield and husband, Jim, of Albers and Mary Ellen Piralli and husband, George, of Sault St. Marie, Michigan; four brothers Al Koopmann of Breese, Roman (Butch) and wife Lorene, of Belleville, Andrew (Pete) and wife, Janet, of Belleville, Ed of Bartelso; one sister Blanche Vandeloo of Bartelso; 11 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 8 step great grandchildren and 4 step great great grandchildren.

Mrs. Gebke was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Koopmann, brother-in-law, George Vandeloo, sister-in-law Jane Koopmann, step grandson, Todd Thompson, and great granddaughter Alice Gebke.

Mrs. Gebke was a lifetime member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and a member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau. She was formerly employed by Moran Shoe Company in Carlyle, owner of a dairy farm with her husband, and a homemaker. Services are 11:00 am Saturday at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with the Rev. Henry Fischer officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Friends may call from 9:00 to 11:00 on Saturday at St. Cecilia Church prior to the services.

Memorials may be made to St. Cecilia Catholic Church, to the Siteman Cancer Center for Multiple Myeloma Research or to the donor’s choice and will be received at the church