Helen Rita Thill, 101, of Dubuque, died Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Mount Carmel Bluffs Care Center in Dubuque.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 10:15 am Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at St. Columbkille Catholic Church.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Helen will be 10:30 am Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at St. Columbkille Catholic Church with Father Bob Gross as the Celebrant. Entombment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque.

Helen was born June 22, 1923, in Dubuque, the daughter of Joe and Lucille Grotkin Herbst. On June 26, 1946, she married Kenneth Raphael Thill in St. Columbkille Catholic Church. He died August 28, 2021.

Helen began working at A.Y. McDonald early in her years.  After raising her children she continued working at Merimac Toys, and later at Frommelt Industries. At the age of 70, she and Ken started their own janitorial business.

She was a lifelong member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church.  She enjoyed gardening and shared her harvest with many friends, family and charities.  She also enjoyed crocheting many afghans for the family and Veterans Hospitals, in addition to crocheting more than 200 hats which she donated to the Dubuque Schools and Mission.

Survivors include two daughters, Iyla (Robert) Ferguson of Long Grove, IA and Terri (Kent) Krueger of Ankeny, IA; one son, Thomas (Cheryl) Thill of Canton, IL; six grandchildren, Kelli Aaron, Kerri (Tom) Stevens, John Mistretta, Justin (Kuqra Ladrigan) Mistretta, Andy Uppole and Zach (Katy) Uppole; nine great-grandchildren; one brother in-law, George Weitzel, one sister-in-law, Patsy Herbst; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and nine siblings.

A special thank you to her neighbor and dear friend, Dr. Jill Hunt and the nurses and staff at Mt. Carmel for their loving care and support of Helen.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Helen’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.