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Helen June Stanger, 103

Helen June Stanger, age 103, of Woodstock passed away peacefully on Friday, July 1, 2022, in Woodstock. 

She was born June 13t, 1919, in Woodstock to Earl Giles and Elta (Schroeder) Giles. She married Edward R. Stanger on Dec. 3, 1938, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Helen attended a one-room country schoolhouse in Shabonna, Ill., and finished her education in Woodstock. She worked at a Woodstock retail/record store for 25 plus years. She was a music lover, playing favorite songs for the younger generation who frequented the store. She was a supervisor at Elco-Hillcrest Manufacturing of Woodstock, where she then retired in 1984. Helen was a Sunday school teacher and, in later years, a volunteer at Grace Lutheran Church of Woodstock. Helen was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and was overjoyed to see them win the World Series in 2016. She was sent a 100th birthday card signed from the Chicago Cubs team, which was a treasured gift.

Helen was happily married to Edward Stanger for over 67 years. They made their home in Woodstock, where they raised their two children. In 1983 they bought their lake home in Fox Lake, Wis. They spent many summers enjoying sunsets from their porch, as did family and friends for many years. Their lake home was their pride and joy as it served as the place of many anniversary, birthday, and holiday celebrations.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Shirley J. (Stanger) Banker of Woodstock, and son, Larry (Sharon) Stanger of Woodstock; grandchildren, Marggie Banker, Ellyn (Rick) Knox, and Brian Stanger; and great-grandchildren, Sydney Mueller; Jordyn and Ethan Knox, and Liam Stanger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Kenneth Giles; her sister, Earline Axelson; her husband, Ed; and her great-grandson, Quinn Mueller.

Donations in her honor can be made to Home of The Sparrow Inc.

The visitation will be held on Wednesday July 6, 2022 from 11 a.m. until the noon service at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock. Interment will follow at McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery in Woodstock.

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