SYCAMORE — Helen Mary Montgomery, 99, of Sycamore, Ill., died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, at home. 

Born Aug. 30, 1924, in Gary, Ind., the daughter of Christ and Evanthia (Sauli) Skurte, Helen married Wilbur Woodrow Montgomery on June 26, 1949; he predeceased her in 2016. 

A 1946 graduate of Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts, Helen was a physical education teacher at Streator High School from 1946 until her marriage. She was a member of Home Extension, various card clubs and her bowling league until 2020. Helen taught Sunday school and served as a 4-H leader for many years. She volunteered with the swim unit for the kids at Eswood Elementary. Helen loved using family photography to chronicle events. 

Helen was a great cook, especially when making cookies and pies from her Albanian heritage, which have become family traditions. She loved knitting and was constantly making various craft projects, too. She was very independent, had a wry sense of humor, and nothing could make her face light up more than her grandkids and great-grandkids. 

Helen is survived by her sons, Dale (Tammy) Montgomery of Malta and Don (Mary) Montgomery of Bennet, Neb.; daughters, Nancy (Doug) Fike of North Aurora and Judy (Mark) Dreska of Lakewood, Colo.; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren and another on the way, all of whom she loved, loved, loved! 

She was predeceased by her husband, Wilbur; parents; and sisters, Sophie, Ethel and Pauline. 

The family thanks the staff at the Grand Victorian of Sycamore, Home Instead, and Northern Illinois Hospice for their compassionate care of Helen. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to Greenview Cemetery, 25456 Esmond Road, Malta, IL 60150. 

Funeral Service will be held at 11 am Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Esmond United Methodist Church, 675 Main St, Esmond, IL 60129, following a visitation from 10-11 am at the church. Visitation also will be from 4-7 pm Thursday, Sept. 14, at Olson’s Quiram Sycamore Chapel, 1245 Somonauk St., Sycamore, IL 60178. Burial will be at Greenview Cemetery, Esmond. 

For information, 815-895-6589. Visit www.olsonfh.com to leave a condolence.