Helen M. Gansmann, nee Ellis, 94, born Oct. 7, 1914, in St. Jacob, Ill., died Wednesday, April 22, 2009, in Highland, Ill.

Mrs. Gansmann taught in a country school in the Pin Oak Township until marriage in 1939. She returned to teaching in 1959, at St. Jacob Grade School and taught the fourth grade until her retirement in 1978.

Helen lived on the Gansmann family farm until moving to Highland in 1998 and then moved to Trenton Village in 2005. She was a member of the St. Jacob United Church of Christ, United Church of Christ Women's Guide, Illinois Retired Teachers, and Delta Kappa Gama Sorority for Educators.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl V. Gansmann whom she married in May of 1939, and who died August of 1995; her son, Edmond Gansmann; parents, Edmund W. and Orrel, nee Freed, Ellis; and sisters, Evelyn Harmon, Guyneth Schoeck, and Dorothy Grimes.

Surviving are her children, Blanche (Bob) Driemeyer of Grantfork, Ill., Gene (Marie) Gansmann of St. Jacob, Ill., and Orella Gansmann of Belleville, Ill.; a daughter-in-law, Deanna Gansmann; seven grandchildren, Michael Gansmann, Mark Gansmann, Ty Gansmann, Gina, nee Gansmann, Willie, Rob Driemeyer, Ryan Driemeyer, and Liz, nee Driemeyer, Grotefendt; and eight great-grandchildren, Kylee, Troy and Lauren Gansmann, Danielle, Dakota, and Dalton Driemeyer, and Jack and Drew Grotefendt; and her sister Ruth (Franklin) Butler.

Memorials may be made to Keystone Cemetery or St. Jacob United Church of Christ.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2009, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob, Ill.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2009, at St. Jacob United Church of Christ, St. Jacob, Ill., with Rev. Gary Kniepkamp officiating. Interment will be at Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, Ill.

AEBISCHER-RICHESON
FUNERAL HOME,
St. Jacob, Ill.