Helen B. (Baumgartner) Abben 1918-2014

ABBEN, BAUMGARTNER, KOSHER

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 12/24/2015 at 17:47:06

Helen B. Abben, 96, Sycamore, IL and Sun City West, AZ, died Tuesday, December 23, 2014, after a short illness at her daughter's home in Cornell, WI.

She was born August 1, 1918, in Chicago, Illinois to Dr. Walter J. and Marguerite K. Baumgartner. Helen spent her childhood in Dubuque, Iowa, where she graduated from high school in 1936. She then attended the University of Dubuque where she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in English. After college, she taught English for a year and then moved to Chicago where she worked at the Harris Bank.

Helen married Frederick Abben in Dubuque, Iowa, on October 5, 1946. After they married, they lived in several Chicago area suburbs including Glen Ellyn before they settled in Sycamore, IL. Helen was very involved in her children's lives and activities. She was an active member of the Federated Church as well as a choir member. She also served on the NIU Associates board and the Oak Crest Board and was a founding member of PEO Chapter KJ.

In the later years, Helen and Fred were snow birds, spending the winter months in Arizona. She continued traveling south after Fred died. In Sun City West, she was a volunteer and choir member at the Desert Garden Church. She took water exercise classes until the age of 95, enjoyed many concerts and Saturday morning condo coffees, and was an ardent supporter of the Phoenix Suns.

Helen was an avid reader and loved bird watching, traveling, theater, concerts (especially the Kishwaukee Symphony and DeKalb County Municipal Band), and solving Jumble puzzles. Above all, Helen loved spending time with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Julie A. (Patrick) Kosher of Cornell, WI; one son, Dr. Richard P. Abben of Houma, LA; four grandchildren, Katherine Abben of Orlando, FL, Lesley Abben of Houma, LA, Nathan (Malory) Kosher of New Brighton, MN, and Kit Kosher of La Crosse, WI; one great grandchild, Camille Kosher of New Brighton, MN and four special family friends, Julie, Kayla, Cody, and Blake.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, her parents, two sons, John and David; and her husband, Frederick.

Visitation will be held at the Federated Church in Sycamore, IL on February 28, 2015, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:15 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Dennis Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa, in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Federated Church or the organization of choice.

Published in Daily-Chronicle on Feb. 11, 2015.