Helen E. Vavra

Helen E. Vavra, 94, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 7:06 P.M. Friday, April 3, 2015 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois. 

She was born on July 4, 1920 in Moline, Illinois, the daughter of William and Inez Lawrence Lofgren.  She was raised and educated in Moline, Illinois.  She married Charles Patrick in August of 1935 in Moline, Illinois.  She married Claude Ingraham on December 10, 1947 in Moline, Illinois; he died on January 27, 1969.  She then married George Vavra on November 12, 1973 in Monmouth, Illinois.  He died on December 31, 1978. 

Helen is survived by a half-sister, Jerri John of Orion, Illinois; a daughter, Karen (Fred) Rubison of Knoxville, Illinois; a son, Michael Patrick of Galesburg, Illinois; eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren and one more on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, one sister, one brother, and a son and daughter in law, Dan and Mary Patrick. 

Helen first work as a grocery store clerk, then later at Formfit in Monmouth, the Monmouth Pottery, and the ammunition plant in Joliet.   She was also a homemaker. 

Private family services will be held and inurnment will take place at Moline Memorial Park Cemetery, Moline, Illinois.  Memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society.  Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home, Knoxville is in charge of arrangements.  On-line condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurdhendricksfuneralhome.com.