Helen Fant

After experiencing the blessings of earthly life for an entire century, Helen Fant met her Savior Jesus Christ face to face on April 28, 2020.

A private service was held at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Moline, on May 5, 2020.  Helen was buried at National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, with her husband Paul who preceded her in 2008. Memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association, World Vision, or Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ).

On September 28, 1919 at the family farm by Newman Grove, NE, Helen Virginia entered life as daughter to Andrew and Anna Martensson Larson and sister to brothers Vernie, Verner, Ray, LeRoy, Richard, and Arthur.  Not long after Helen graduated from Newman Grove High School, the Larsons moved to a farm outside Sycamore, IL.  Helen continued her education at Northern Illinois State College, DeKalb, and then studied nursing at West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park, before working at Ideal Industries, Sycamore.  In 1946 she met her Prince Charming Paul Fant at a church Luther League gathering.  The couple became engaged after six weeks of courtship and married six months later—a whirlwind romance that led to a beautiful example of a happy, Christ-centered marriage of more than sixty years.

Paul’s education and work required several moves around Illinois: from Sycamore to Rockford where their only child Joan was born, Princeton, Pekin, Normal, and Moline where they settled in 1992 to be near their daughter and her family.  In each community, joining a church was top priority for the Fants because serving and worshiping the Lord were the most important goals of their lives.  In Moline they held membership at First Covenant Church.  Helen was active in teaching Sunday School, maturing her faith through Bible studies, and supporting needs of the church through women’s circles.

Helen will be fondly remembered for her special ways of cherishing people, accepting everyone without judgment, forgiving completely and quickly, smiling and laughing easily, enjoying parties and picnics, celebrating her Swedish heritage, offering warm hospitality, delighting in the wonders of creation, and devoting her life to serving her Lord and family.  Those who will especially miss her sunshine include daughter Joan Olson (Douglas), Moline; grandchildren Christopher Olson (Jen Strombeck), Kissimmee, FL, Elizabeth McKee, East Moline, Katherine Stringer (Justin), Springfield, MO, Andrew Olson, Mason City, IA; great grandchildren Corbin and Gwyn McKee, East Moline, Charlotte and Theodore Stringer, Springfield, MO; sister-in-law Martha Larson; nieces and nephews; Helen’s devoted caregivers Mary and Phil Garza.

Online condolences may be expressed to Helen’s family on the tribute wall.