Helen Deal

Helen Deal (neé Hublou), 80, of Waukegan, Illinois, passed away on August 25, 2016, after a stay in hospice care with family at her side. Helen was born in Ortonville, MN, November 13, 1935, and raised in Big Stone City, South Dakota. Valedictorian of the Big Stone City high school (class of 1953), she married Stuart Deal on 3/2/1957. They lived their entire married life in the Waukegan/Beach Park area of Illinois where they raised their five children. During their 59 year marriage, she was office manager of their paving business. Later they ran several pizza stores and, still later, began collecting and selling farm toys, eventually becoming, in their “third career,” long-time veterans of the National Farm Toy show in Dyersville, Iowa, as well as many other shows. She enjoyed the toy shows and the many friends they made. Through the years, and despite the often heavy workloads, foremost in Helen’s life was raising the children and supporting the growing extended family. It didn’t matter what was going on in her life, or how hard the work was -- if the children or grandchildren needed something, they came first. She was most happy with her house full of family. Along the way she survived a brain tumor, the rare cancer olfactory neuroblastoma, several bouts of pneumonia, a serious stroke and several mini-strokes. Each time she worked diligently to regain as much strength and mobility as she could, rigorously following diet and exercise guidelines. She was almost always able to help prepare the large Thanksgiving and Christmas meals that were a tradition she so enjoyed. Her hard rehab work also gained her precious quality time spent with her great grandchildren, born after the stroke. She even learned to use an iPad, (with her left hand, as her right was then partially paralyzed), using Facebook and email to stay even more closely in touch with family and friends. Helen was kind to everyone she met. She loved people and helping others. In her selfless way, her last conscious thoughts were of those close to her. Just 24 hours before the final medical issue, but with no hint of its coming, she sent a flurry of emails telling her loved ones how much joy they had brought her and how much she loved them. She was preceded in death by son Craig, brother Robert Hublou, and sister Jean Cloos. She is survived by husband Stuart; sons Mark, Douglas, wife Shelley; Barry and daughter Michelle Wilson, husband Steven; grand children Christiana, Kevin, Nicole, and Keith and step grandson Matt and step granddaughter Casey; great grandchildren Payton and Tucker. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL. The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anastasia Parish, 624 Douglas Ave, Waukegan, IL. Interment will follow at Pineview Memorial Park, Beach Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice Alliance, www.hospicealliance.org, 10220 Prairie Ridge Rd, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, 53158.