Helen Fenstermacher
https://www.jostfuneralhome.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=27692526
April 2, 1924 - April 10, 2023
HILLSBORO - Helen Fenstermacher, 99, passed away April 10, 2023 at Salem Home in Hillsboro.
Helen Fenstermacher went home to Jesus on April 10, 2023, at 99 years young.
Helen, born Lena Esther Ediger to Henry David Ediger and Agatha (Wiens) Ediger, began life on April 2, 1924 in Henderson, Nebraska.
Helen chose to change her name from Lena when she was 18 years old as she “just didn’t care for” the name Lena.
Helen’s grandparents immigrated from Russia and retained many of their cultural customs, including speaking Low German at home and High German at church. She learned to speak English at a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska.
Helen graduated from high school in Reedley, California in 1943. She went on to study biology at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas where she graduated in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree. Helen then went to nurse’s training at Fresno General Hospital to pursue her calling to missionary work; she ultimately found her mission in caring for her family’s medical needs.
Helen met Robert James Fenstermacher in 1948 after a mutual friend suggested that Robert write to Helen. They married in 1951 and went on to have seven children. Helen worked as a registered nurse for many years while raising her family. After her children were grown, she worked as a custom wedding dress designer. She enjoyed quilting and singing, through which she found fellowship and meaning. Helen also found great joy in spending time with her family and in being part of the Discipleship Group “D Group” over the last 20+ years.
Helen joins her husband, Robert Fenstermacher; siblings Daniel Ediger, Lydia (Ediger) Heinrichs, and Johnny Ediger; and children Richard, Donna Jean, Robert, and Ruth (Fenstermacher) and husband Barry Dean Heinzerling in Heaven.
Here on Earth, she is missed by her sister Edna (Ediger) Warkentine; children Barbara (Fenstermacher) and husband Jim Villanueva, Mary (Fenstermacher) and husband Ben Steketee, and Samuel Fenstermacher and wife Carol; along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Rachel Villanueva; Samuel Villanueva, wife Heather, and their children DJ and Diana; Daniel Villanueva and children Noah and Ashton; Renee (Steketee), husband Johnny Gilkey, and their children Emily, Hailey, and Chloe; Jaimie (Steketee), husband Nick Hays, and their children Landen and Micah; Becky (Steketee) and husband Chris Ginac, and George Benjamin Steketee and wife Rochelle.
To send flowers to the family of Helen, please visit our floral store.
Celebration of Life 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2023 at Grace Community Fellowship in Hillsboro. Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Jost Funeral Home in Hillsboro.
Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family of Helen, pleasevisit our floral store.