Helene Smetzer

Helene M. Smetzer, 100, of Marseilles passed away Friday, December 14, 2018 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 pm, Friday, December 21 at St. Columba Church, with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm, Friday, prior to the services, at the Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.

Helene was born May 1, 1918, in Ottawa to Charles F. and Mary (Burke) Barker. She was a cheerleader for Marseilles High School, graduating in 1936. She married Robert Smetzer in February, 1946 at St. Joseph's Church in Marseilles, and they spent 64 wonderful years together; he passed away April 30, 2009. She was a member of St. Columba Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Susan (William) Gardner of Florida and Nancy (Tom) Koch of Ottawa; one granddaughter, Heather McClure; her great-granddaughter, Harleigh, both of Tennessee; and her faithful cat, Precious, who was promoted from farm cat to house cat nine years ago.

Helene was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, her twin sister, Eileen Lassen, with whom she won The Illinois Twin Association top award for "Most Attractive Twins" in 1941; and her brother, Francis Barker.

She was determined to live out her remaining years on the farm and not in a nursing home. That was made possible by her caring, compassionate caregivers, Natalie, Nikki, Michelle, and Micki.

Memorials may be directed to Pet Project in Marseilles.