Helen Alberta (Freudenberg) Henke was born May 2, 1928 to Fred and Minna (Fastenau) Freudenberg southeast of Syracuse. She was educated at District #84 country school and graduated from Syracuse High School in 1946. She departed this earthly life on January 26, 2020 at the age of 91.

Helen married Darrel Louis Henke on September 19, 1946 at St. John's U.C.C. in Syracuse and enjoyed 69 years together. She helped farm southwest of Syracuse, raising three daughters and lots of chickens. Not only did she keep busy with cooking and sewing, but her green thumb kept everyone busy in the summer tending garden.

Helen led the Smooth Sailors 4-H club (senior and junior club), teaching skills in sewing, cooking, housekeeping, leadership, and creativity. Many an idea came from Helen for floats and booths for the county fair which often won the privilege of being displayed at the State Fair.

As an active member of St. John's U.C.C. Helen held offices within the Women's Fellowship and helped with Bible School, providing food for church events. In fact, baking was a favorite activity. No one went home without being offered dessert or homemade cookies, often leaving with a dozen.

Being involved with the County Extension for over 40 years, she was a member of the Southwest Sally's Extension Club. She served on the State Extension Board, and acting as Citizenship Director, promoted the use of seat belts for adults and infant seats, appearing on television and sewing bears with seat belts to give away, well before laws were initiated.

Her loyalty to the community kept Helen busy. She was co-chair of Germanfest, making quilts and wall hangings for the annual raffle for many years. Along with Darrel, they were crowned Germanfest king and queen and were members of the German dancers. They loved to dance, celebrating anniversaries with dances at Elm's Ballroom and were active square dancers. Helen also danced in the Syracuse Bi-Centennial Pageant and participated in plays with The Lofte Community Theatre and Syracuse Community Players. They delivered Meals on Wheels and took friends to productions at The Lofte Community Theatre and Mahoney State Park.

Helen was the founder of "Know America" tours, organizing groups to Washington D.C. and bus tours to Midwestern sights. Helen and Darrel traveled extensively around the world, participating in 90+ tours. They enjoyed camping and were members of We-Wanna-Go Camping Club.

Helen loved to sew, quilt, crochet, counted cross-stitch and embroidery, and taught her children and grandchildren. Other hobbies included crafts, cooking, baking, wallpapering and playing cards. After moving to Syracuse in 2010 with Darrel, she enjoyed going to the "Donut Shop" and continued to play cards with several groups.

She is survived by daughters: Patsy (Stephen) Meyer of Lincoln, Doris (Denis) Klausen of Boelus, Betty (Kevin) Colbert of Weeping Water. Grandchildren: Melanie Cathman, Tracy (Scott) Ensor, Ryan Klausen (Jamie Mills), Samantha Colbert (fiance' Amaury Navarro). Great-grandchildren: Braedon Cathman, Marcus & Shawnee Ensor. Sister, Gladys Kirchhoff and sister-in-law, Darlene Stutheit, a nephew and several nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Darrel, brother Johnny (Ruth) Freudenberg and brother-in-law Glenn Kirchhoff.

Memorials suggested to: The Lofte Community Theatre, Syracuse Rescue Squad, Syracuse Fire Dept. or St. John's United Church of Christ.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 31 at 10:30 A.M. at St. John's United Church of Christ in Syracuse.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30 from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. with family greeting friends from 5:30-7:30 P.M. at the Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Condolences to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com