- Age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Hortonville, on October 1, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born on December 30, 1918, in the Town of Mukwa, the youngest of 13 children. Helen graduated from New London High School and Outagamie County Normal School. She taught for three years (1938-1940) at the one room, Oak Park School in Hortonia Township. On June 12, 1940, she married Joseph S. Sambs. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage together before Joseph died on January 13, 2005. They devotedly raised nine children on the Sambs family farm in Hortonville.
Helen enjoyed her garden, fruit orchard, raising chickens, and fishing. She was famous for her apple pies, raised doughnuts, homemade bread, and jams and jellies, which she loved sharing with her children and grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. Helen was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville, where she was active in the Christian Mothers for over fifty years.
She is survived by her children: Judy (Chuck) Riese, Oshkosh; Charles (Judy) Sambs, Hudson; Daniel (Carol) Sambs, Fremont; Sr. Joann Sambs, Fond du Lac; Greg (Arlette) Sambs, Fort Atkinson; Janice (David) Flenz, Appleton; Mary (Mike) Riha, Coon Rapids, MN.; Barb Rearick, Appleton; Kevin (Jane) Sambs, Hortonville; seventeen grandchildren; Chuck (Crystal) and Paul (Karen) Riese, Roxanne Whismann, Brian, Jeff, Jay, Jon, Joey, Jesse, Tim, Casey (Tamara), Katie and Kelsey Sambs; Julie Flenz, Erin and Christopher Riha and Ben Rearick; seven great - grandchildren: Jon, Scott (Ashley), Morgan, Macey, Kaylee, David and Danielle and one great-great-grandchild Destiny; sisters-in-law: Eleanor Cooney and Dorothy Rohan; She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, her parents William and Anna (Brahan) Cooney: her father and mother-in-law, Charles and Mary Sambs: 11 brothers: Edwin, John, Thomas, James, Clement, Rev. Clair, Rev. Dennis, George, Charles, Raymond, and Harold; a sister Evelyn Cooney, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The Funeral Mass for Helen will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Hortonville with Msgr. Jim Feely officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the Borchardt & Moder Funeral Home on Friday,from 4-8 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. at the church until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
A special thank you to Dr. Barkmeier and Lisa Gunderson RNNP and the staff at Theda Care At Home Hospice for their care and concern of Helen. Also a special thank you to Barbara Rearick and her son Ben who faithfully and lovingly cared for Helen in their home.
When one finds a valiant woman her value is far beyond pearls. She is clothed with strength and dignity… (Proverbs 31:10, 25)
|
1918 - 2008 (89 years)
Obituary
