Helen Irene Yomantas

Helen Irene Yomantas was born into eternal life on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at age 93, and is now reunited with her beloved late husband of 61 years, Edward John Yomantas.

Helen is the cherished mother of Cynthia Yomantas (Steven Bauman) of Brookfield, WI; Timothy Yomantas (Christina) of Tucson, AZ; and John Yomantas of Rockford, IL. She is the proud grandmother of Samuel and Benjamin (Eve) Bauman; and Helena, Andrew (Mickala), Lauren and Tyler (Daria) Yomantas. Helen is preceded in death by her parents Pansy and Harold Stevens; and her sisters Norma Ulbrich and Doris Chiarelli and brother Leslie Stevens. She is further survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Helen inspired her children and grandchildren alike with stories about growing up in Hot Springs, Arkansas, playing outside and “catching crawdads.” Her love of the outdoors was a constant in her life, prompting visits to more than 50 National Parks. She moved with her family to Rockford, Illinois at age 12 and later attended East High School where she excelled in history, English and theater. Her first job while still in high school was working as a cashier at the Midway Theater. It was while walking to work one day that she met Edward, her future husband. The two were married on October 21, 1950.

After raising their three children, Helen re-entered the work force starting as a file clerk at American/Amcore Bank. When she retired, Helen was a Vice President. At the time, she was one of only a few women to hold that senior leadership position.

Retirement provided the opportunity for Helen and Edward to move in 1995 to Arkansas and live in Hot Springs Village. They enjoyed golfing, pontoon boat rides, concerts, travel and entertaining friends and relatives (especially grandchildren).

After Edward’s death in 2011, Helen moved to Brookfield, WI where she most recently resided and enjoyed a full life, rich in activities such as Book Club, Walking Club and Hymn Singing at Ruby Commons. A lifelong fan of Arkansas Razorback football, last year she attended her first game and joined the crowd in calling the hogs: “Woo Pig Sooie!”

Helen is universally described by all who know her as kind, intelligent and funny. She was always deeply spiritual and throughout her life participated in church activities including numerous bible study groups. Helen was a voracious reader, and her love of movies was another constant throughout her life, with The Sound of Music and Galaxy Quest at the top of her list. At 93, she still held the title of Best Scrabble Player (no one in the family could beat her). And she still had her beautiful red hair. Helen’s fingers were crossed that her first great grandchild, due in October, would be born with red hair, too.

Helen lived a full and beautiful life, and we are all better for knowing and loving her.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Gospel Fellowship of Sussex, N74W25332 Howard Lane, Sussex, Wisconsin. Service will follow at 10 :00 AM and will be livestreamed from the Krause Funeral Home website. A private burial will be held in Rockford, Illinois.

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