Helen R. Konzen

JANESVILLE - Helen R. Konzen, 79, daughter of Spencer and Helen Bender of New Jersey, loving wife of Fred E. Konzen, amazing mother of seven, grandmother and great-grandmother, went home to be with Jesus and the love of her life, Fred, on October 3, 2006. Fred passed away on June 29, 2006 and after 60 years of marriage. Helen just couldn’t go on without her sweetie. She held on for three months for her children, but finally died of a broken heart. Helen was a devoted active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Those who knew and loved her were blessed by her wisdom, sense of humor, and unbelievable capacity to love. After Fred, her children were her life, and the love she lavished on them is what sustains them in her passing. Helen is survived by her children; Ruthann (Joseph) Giarle, of Leesburg, FL; Rickey (Fred Jr.) and his wife Peggy of Plant City, FL; Mary Beth (Vaughn) Stastny of Bolingbrook, IL; Helen (Andrew) Franklin of Beloit, WI; Laura (Michael) Previte of Waukesha, Mark (Lisa) Konzen of Orlando, FL; and Lisa Konzen of Janesville. She had 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, including Seth, who was born a few days before her passing. She was preceded in death by her roller-skating partner, best friend, and eternal love, Fred, as well as her parents and her brother, Richard. The family wishes to thank Dr. Elkins, Dr. Omari, and the outstanding staff of Beloit Health and Rehabilitation Center, as well as Mercy Regional Dialysis Center. They loved and cared for Helen as if she were their own mother and she considered them as her children. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, October 6, 2006 at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 N. Wright Rd., Janesville, with burial following in the Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 5, 2006 at the ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 1618 E. Racine St., Janesville, and again at the church on Friday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service. Our lives will never be the same. Our hearts are broken. But our parents’ love and faith will somehow see us through this difficult time, until we are reunited with them in Heaven.