Helen Margaret Glessner

Helen M. Glessner, age 94, of Amboy, died peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2017, in her home. She was born January 16, 1923, in Amboy, the daughter of Frank and Kathryn (Ashenbrenner) Branigan. Helen was a lifelong resident of Amboy graduating from Amboy High School in 1941. She graduated from North Central College in 1946 taking a year off in 1943 to support the war effort by working at the Green River Ordnance Plant in Amboy. Helen married L. Harold Glessner at St. Patrick Church in Amboy June 21, 1947. She first taught at Amboy High School in 1947-48. She took time off to raise her family and returned to teaching in 1967. She taught Home Economics at Amboy Jr. High School and Amboy High School until 1986 when she retired to begin her life of leisure. This included annual winter trips to visit her sisters and daughter Karen in Phoenix, AZ. When not traveling, her skills as a seamstress naturally led her to a quilting club with many beautiful results. She loved to play bridge and she belonged to several bridge clubs over the years. She and Harold also enjoyed many years as members of Shady Oaks Country Club. Helen was active in an array of community groups including the Amboy Women's Club, the Amboy Community Organization, the American Legion Auxiliary, Lee County Home Extension, Girls State liason and Rockford Diocese Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was on the board of the Amboy Depot Commission serving as president for 7 years. Because of her civic contributions, Helen was asked to serve as Grand Marshall of the Depot Days Parade in 2010. Helen's ultimate wish finally came true this past fall when she watched her beloved Chicago Cubs win the World Series. This love affair started in 1933 when she beseeched her father to take her to a baseball game where both of them witnessed their first major league game together. She had a very special Christmas gift this year meeting her two new great grandsons. She is preceded her in death by her parents and her husband. Survivors include her 3 children Karen (Dale) Timberlake of Phoenix, AZ, Jack (Debbie) Glessner of Flemington, NJ, and Linda (Bill) Disney of Dixon; 5 grandchildren Sarah (Jon) Repece, Angie (Hank) Deraney, Katie Glessner, Kyle Miller and Jon Miller; 1 step-grandson Matthew Disney, 2 great-grandsons Tanner Repece and Hank Deraney IV; 3 sisters Kathleen, Mary Louise, and JoAnne Branigan all of Phoenix, AZ. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017, beginning with a 10:00 AM prayer service in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy with the Rev. Timothy Draper and Rev. Msgr. Thomas Bales, co-officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Amboy. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 22, from 2:00 until 6:00 PM in the funeral home with the Rosary recited at 5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Helen Margaret Glessner

January 16, 1923 - January 16, 2017