Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

Get the Draeger-Langendorf Obituaries App

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

(262) 552-9000

  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Services
    • Services Overview
    • Immediate Arrangements
    • Caskets, Vaults & Urns
    • Cremation
    • Embalming
    • Green Funerals
    • Pre-Planning
    • Forms
    • Price Lists
  • Pre-Planning
    • Why Pre-Plan?
    • Pre-Planning Guide
    • Services Overview
    • Caskets, Vaults & Urns
    • Funeral Misconceptions
    • Purposes of the Funeral Ceremony
    • Creating Meaningful Funerals
    • Price Lists
  • About Us
    • History
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Facilities
    • Testimonials
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Map & Directions
  • Local Florists
  • Other Resources
    • Death While Out-of-Town
    • Grief Support
    • Memorials/Charities

Helen Julia Kelleher

Oct 22, 1917 – Jan 30, 2014

Kenosha – Helen Julia (nee: Reszka) Kelleher, age 96, peacefully received the promise of eternal life on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Home in Kenosha.

Helen was born on October 22, 1917 in Minto, North Dakota, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Anna (nee: Mach) Reszka. She was educated in the schools of North Dakota.

After attending Mayville State Teacher’s College in North Dakota, she taught school in Park River, N.D. where she met and married Vivian B. Kelleher.  They moved to Wisconsin and lived in Racine for 12 years before relocating to Kenosha where they owned and operated Kelly’s Bar and Restaurant on 7th Avenue until 1970. Passionate about the children in her Parish, she also taught second and third grade at St. George Catholic School for more than 30 years retiring in 1979. While teaching the children of St. George Parish, Mrs. Kelleher was awarded “Outstanding Teacher of Year” by the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

With a profound Christian faith, Helen was a member and served on the parish council of St. George Catholic Church, now known as St. Elizabeth, where she faithfully attended daily Mass. Among her interests, she enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, gardening, reading, crocheting, puzzles, the Chicago Cubs and a good poker game. Most of all, she loved her family and cherished the times spent during get-togethers and holidays.

Helen is loved and remembered by her six children, Verda Wolf, Bryant (Pao Feng Chen) Kelleher, Kathleen (Ronald) Conforti, Teresa (Wayne) Baltes, Patrice (Peter) Fanduzzi and Mary (Alex) Lindqvist, all of Kensoha;  twelve grandchildren, Kathy (David) Stitch, Neil (Susan) Wolf III, Amy Conforti ,Christopher Conforti, Jennifer (Jim) Bezotte, Bryant (Wendy) Horvat, Linda (Joshua) Trepcyzk,  Jeffery Conforti,  Tamatha (Ron) Weeks, Megan (Donald) Stancato, Donald Kelleher  and  Jennifer Fanduzzi;  eighteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Sister Mary Loyola, C.R. and Mary Anne (Leo) Bonaime; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, Vivian, she was preceded in death by a sister, Sophie Korynta.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 11:00 am in St. Elizabeth Catholic Church (4816 – 7th Avenue) with Rev. Sean Granger officiating. Interment will follow in St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 9:30-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hospice Alliance and St. Elizabeth Parish have been suggested.

Helen’s family express sincere appreciation for the dedicated and loving care given to her by the staff & caregivers of St. Joseph Home and Hospice Alliance. They extend special gratitude to her caregivers and friends – Nurse Julie; Brenda and Rebecca; and to Jessica Ware. Helen loved you all!

Sign Guestbook
Print

Guestbook Entries

  1. Nancy Lindl says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I remember with great fondness, Mrs. Kelleher, a kind and wonderful teacher. My deepest condolences to her loving family.

  2. Lynda Ruffalo says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Mrs. Kelleher was a kind and gentle teacher…so patient with us children. My sincere sympathy,thoughts, and prayers to her family and friends.

  3. Jennifer Bezotte says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

  4. Ann Loewen says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    May she rest in Peace and may Perpetual Light shine upon her.
    God Bless all my Kenosha cousins at this very sad time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Ann

  5. Rosanne Gulbinas says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

  6. Ann Fanduzzi says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

  7. Mary Halstead-Frank says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I am so sorry for your loss! Helen was my second grade teacher at St. George, and I enjoyed her immensely. She was blessing to the children there! May God bless and comfort her family during this difficult time. – Mary

  8. Nancy Ruben LaNasa says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Mrs. Kelleher was one of my favorite teachers at St. George. My prayers go out to her family.

Sign the Guestbook

Note: Your guestbook entry will be added once approved.


  • Mary Louise Schenkenberg

    d. Jul 12, 2025
  • Katy Hope Stanton

    d. Jul 13, 2025
  • Clarence Leon Bland

    d. Jul 10, 2025
  • Elisha Carter Evans

    d. Jul 1, 2025
  • Esperanza V. Sosa

    d. Jul 10, 2025
  • Beatrice “Bea” Herrmann

    d. Jul 6, 2025
  • Jennifer J. Martin

    d. Jul 5, 2025
  • David A. Landreman

    d. Jul 7, 2025
  • Daniel Edward Bentz

    d. Jul 6, 2025
  • Marie Ruth Miller

    d. Jul 5, 2025
View all obituaries

Testimonials

October 22, 2015

I lost my parents withing two years of each other and Mike and his staff not only took very good care of my parents but the family. It is very obvious that they take their jobs very seriously. I don\’t know how they do it but thank God for people like them. Thanks for everything! Mike thank you! You made this easier for me. Remember me and mother was like a married couple!

Valisa Coleman

View all Testimonials

Contact Us

Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
(262) 552-9000

Map & Directions

Copyright ©2025 Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap
Built by Westwords