Helen Gradert

Helen L. Gradert, 92, of rural Cambridge, died Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at Good Samaritan Society, Geneseo Village.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2nd, at the Cambridge Lutheran Church.  Rev. Randall Swanson will officiate.  Burial will be in Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Cambridge Chapel of Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services.  Memorials may be made to the Cambridge Lutheran Church or Good Samaritan Society - Geneseo Village.

Helen Louise Nelson was born May 16, 1925 in Lynn Township, Henry County, Illinois, the daughter  of Floyd and Ruth Swanson Nelson.  She was educated in Orion schools and graduated from Orion High School in 1943.  She then worked as a secretary for John Deere Co. in Moline for several years.  Her marriage to Ralph E. Gradert took place on February 22, 1947 in Orion.  He passed away on June 23, 2008.

The couple farmed near Geneseo and moved to their present farm in Andover Township in 1953. Her memberships include the Cambridge Lutheran Church and the WELCA group of the church.  She enjoyed playing cards, watching sporting events, and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Helen tried not to miss any of their sports and school activities.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Joy Gradert, and Roger and Bobbi Gradert, all of Cambridge, five grandchildren, Keith (Melissa) Gradert, Annette (Justin) Wells, Kindra (Aaron) Callahan, Renee (Brian) Crabtree, and Aubrey Gradert.  Also surviving are four step grandchildren, Heather (Jim) Weber, Brian Eilers, Danielle (Chance) Torrez, Nichole (James) Gorman, three great grandchildren, and 11 step great grandchildren.  Her parents, her husband, a brother, Sterling Nelson, and a step granddaughter, Shawna Sloma, preceded her in death.