M. Jane Helmchen

M. Jane Helmchen, 86, of DeKalb, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Kishwaukee Hospital. She was born August 16, 1931, in Belmont Hospital in Chicago, to John and Mary (Pease) Short.
Jane grew up in Oak Park, IL, and graduated from Oak Park High School in 1949 and earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1953. She also completed some graduate work at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
She was a board member for Christian Senior Ministries and Elder Care Services, a tutor at Kishwaukee College and also taught English as a Second Language at Elgin Community College. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb, the Red Hat Society and Algonquin Woman's Club. She volunteered at the Resource Room at Oak Crest Retirement Center for 14 years and was co-author of Oak Crest's "Recipes to Remember" cookbook.
Jane loved to spend time with her family including her grand dogs. She was an avid reader, loved music and recipes.
Survivors include four children; Daniel Helmchen of San Diego, CA; Dr. Donna (Scott) Kogler of Whitefish Bay, WI; Nancy (Brian) Bogle of Mendota, IL; and Scott (Kevin Klee) Helmchen of Elgin, IL; grandchildren Ashley, Sean, Liam, Gabrielle and Madeline; great-grandchildren Nicky and Teagan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert F. Helmchen, and sister, Nancy Robbins.
A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2017, in the Chapel at Oak Crest, 2944 Greenwood Acres Drive in DeKalb.
In lieu of flowers, Jane's family asks that memorials be made to the Susan B. Komen Cancer Foundation at https://ww5.komen.org.
To send an online condolence, visit www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com. Cremation will be handled by Finch Crematory. Arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL 60115, 815-758-3841.