Obituary of Helen Lener

Helen M. Lener Stafford (nee Lamping) Age 89. Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center. Born in Manteno, she was a lifelong Joliet/Minooka area resident. Helen was at the inception of the Minooka Grade School cafeteria, and managed it for many years. A member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Minooka and the CCW; she was elected Woman of the Year in 1972. Some of her greatest loves in life were spending time with her family, sewing, and cooking. Survived by four daughters, Marilyn (Jack) Severson of Oswego, Susan (Ron) Kuykendall of Coal City, Phyllis (Mickey) Feeney of Gardner and Peg (Jim) Furto of Minooka; two sons, Bill (Judith) Stafford of Morris and David (Lana) Stafford of Minooka; 19 grandchildren, Deborah (Joe) Rogers, John Severson, David (Carol) Severson, Kevin (Vicki) Severson, Kelly (Terry) Lewis, William Stafford, Douglas (Jan) Stafford, Jeffrey (Melissa) Stafford, Scott Stafford, Alan Stafford, Eric (Dawn) Karr, Amy Senato, Cindy (Jim) Rice, Ronnie (Dawn) Kuykendall, Jennifer (Tim) Doyle, Dustin (Jen) Kemp, Andrea (Bob) McBroom, Kristine (fiancé Steve Carlson) Furto and Shondra (Taylor) Cook; six step-grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren;a great-great grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Preceded in death by her first husband, William C. Stafford (1980); her second husband, Melvin J. Lener (2000); one grandson, Jonathon Kemp; her parents, Robert and Gertrude Lamping; one brother and three sisters. Funeral Services for Helen M. Lener will be Monday, August 25, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Minooka for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Minooka. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to St. Mary's Church Building Fund would be appreciated. Visitation Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500