Helen Iske

Helen Iske, age 95 of Lanark, Illinois, went to be with her Savior on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Manor Court of Freeport, Freeport, Illinois. A private family graveside service was held on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in the Lanark Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the First Brethren Church, Lanark. Memorials may be given to the First Brethren Church of Lanark, Freeport Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Alumni Nursing Scholarship or FHN Hospice in Helen’s memory.
Helen was born on February 16, 1918, the daughter of Earl and Maude (Hawk) Lego in Freeport, Illinois. She attended Lanark High School and graduated with the Class of 1936. She then attended Brown’s School of Business in Freeport. Helen married Emerson Iske on November 30, 1940 in Lanark. After they were married, Helen and Emerson moved to to the Iske homestead on Brookville Road, where they farmed and raised their family. In 1969, their son Ron and his wife Gretchen came back home to take over the family farm. Shortly after Ron and Gretchen returned home, Helen and Emerson moved to Lanark. Emerson died on October 26, 1997.
Helen was a homemaker who cherished taking care of her family. Helen was an active member of the First Brethren Church, Lanark. She served as a deacon, treasurer, Sunday school teacher as well as being active in the Women’s Missionary Society. She was also a member of the Carroll County Farm Bureau. Helen enjoyed latch hook, ceramics, musicals at Timberlake Playhouse, attending craft shows and shopping with her daughter, Joanne. She enjoyed canning and freezing food for her family. She also took pride in caring for her home and yard. Most of all, Helen treasured spending time with her family and friends.
Helen will be dearly missed by her daughter, Joanne (Lincoln) Arnold of Freeport; five grandchildren, William (Michelle) Iske of Lanark, Christan Arnold of Troutdale, Oregon, Renea (Brad) Witt of Lanark, Rebecca (Dennis) Hatfield of Elizabeth and Bethany (Chris Cahoon) Arnold-Sullivan of Orangeville, Illinois; ten great grandchildren, Jacob, Grant, Gage and Jett Iske of Lanark, Jenessa, Hannah and Reid Witt of Lanark, Trey, Braydy and Whitney Sullivan of Orangeville and Cailey and Alyse Cahoon of Orangeville; special family friends, April Curtis and Callie and Austin of Troutdale.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Emerson; son, Ron Iske; daughter in-law, Gretchen Iske and two sisters, Dorothy Bleck and Lavone Buss.