Helen Mary Kelleher (1930-2021)

KELLEHER, RICHARD, LINK, MEYER, STREIF, SWEARINGEN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/16/2021 at 15:48:07

Helen Mary Kelleher, 91 of Dubuque passed away Wednesday July 14, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, with Fr. Mark Kwenin officiating and Deacon John Stierman as homilist. Burial will follow mass at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A visitation for Helen will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 19, 2021, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory 2595 Rockdale Road, where a parish wake service will be at 4:00 p.m.

Helen was born on May 13, 1930, in Dubuque the daughter of Rueben and Irene (Richard) Link. She married James Kelleher on May 14, 1949, at Sacred Heart Church and they shared 63 years together until Jim’s passing.

Helen attended Sacred Heart School and the Immaculate Conception Academy. She worked at the Glove and Mitten factory, for Alden’s Catalogue and operated the elevator at Stampfer’s before becoming a super mom and wife. She devoted her life to her family and especially caring for her husband James. She was a member of the alter and Rosary society at Sacred Heart and was an avid lifelong Chicago Cub’s fan.

She is survived by her 8 children: Linda (Bob) Meyer, James (Kathy) Kelleher, Thomas (Kathy) Kelleher, Debbie (Gary) Nadermann, Mark (Robin) Kelleher, Diane (Ron) Streif, Jeff (Karissa) Kelleher all of Dubuque and Jennifer (Brad) Swearingen of Coralville, Iowa; her 26 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren; her brother Ken (Sandy) Link; her sisters-in-law Mary Ann Kelleher, Sue (Joe) Bahl, and Lorraine Kelleher along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James and a brother Lyle (Nellie) Link.

In lieu of flowers a Helen Kelleher memorial fund has been established.

The family would like to thank Helen’s good friends Frank and Mary Ann Miller for their love and friendship. To all the health care professionals who cared for Helen especially the staff of Hospice of Dubuque and Dr. Rahm, Dr. Brian Nelson, Dr. Mark Hermann and Dr. Naomi Hasselblad for all the care they provided her over the years.