Helen E. Peck, age 99, of Knoxville, Illinois, died at 10:05 A.M. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville.
She was born on March 14, 1920 in Knoxville, the daughter of Ernest and Hilda (Carlson) Mortenson. She was reared and educated in the Knoxville area, graduating from Knoxville High School in 1938. On August 30, 1941, Helen was married to Charles “Bud” Peck in Knoxville. He preceded her in death on June 8, 1999.
Helen is survived by one daughter, Nancy (and Gene) Parrish of Knoxville; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Ronald L. Peck; three sisters; and two brothers.
Helen lived in the Knoxville area all of her life. She was a lifelong member of the Grace Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher for many years. She also served on the church council, as the church treasurer, and was a proud member of the Knoxville Council of Churches. Helen served on the Knoxville School District #202 Board of Education and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #749 in Knoxville. She also enjoyed volunteering her time at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
She worked on the farm alongside her husband as they were starting their family and greatly enjoyed being a homemaker. She later worked at Gale Products during World War II and was a secretary at the Illinois P.E.O. Home and Mable Woolsey Elementary School. She and her husband started Midway Auto Parts together.
There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 20, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Rev. Michael Lawyer officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus and Friends of the Knox County Nursing Home. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be made to www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
