Helen Kerkenbush

Helen K. Kerkenbush, age 87, passed away on Saturday August 16, 2014 at Orchard Manor Nursing Home, rural Lancaster. She was born February 17, 1927 the daughter of Roy and Josephine (Kelly) Slater. Helen married Robert B. Kerkenbush on June 11, 1946. Together on the family farm, Little Patch of Heaven, they raised their family. The farm was honored as a Sesquicentennial Farm by the State of Wisconsin in 1997. Helen enjoyed yard work, flowers, and cooking. One of her other joys was the many family gatherings.

Surviving are her sons; Dan, Joe (Delores), Jerry (Tawna Dickey) Kerkenbush, her daughters; Joyce (Justin) Weber, Janet (Kendle) Bode, Judy (Terry) Fortmann, Joan (Dave) Klaas, 22 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, siblings: Delores (David) Burkholder, LaVerne (Ruth) Slater, Barb (Bill) Zenz, Dick (Pat Setzek) Slater, and Shirley Kitelinger.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, two sons, Bruce and Jeffrey, a daughter in infancy, a daughter-in-law, Alice Kerkenbush, her brothers, Kenneth (Margaret), Bobby and Cecil Slater, a sister Betty Pace and a brother-in-law Leo Kitelinger.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, August 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson, with Fr. Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends called on Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Funeral Home and Cremation service of Potosi is assisting the family. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Helen K. Kerkenbush memorial fund has been established.