Helen E. Kjos, 79, of Belvidere, died at 7:18 P.M. Friday, December 26, 2008, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center.

She was born January 6, 1929, in Belvidere, the daughter of Albert and Hazel Robbins Footh. On September 29, 1951, Helen married Clifford H. Kjos in Belvidere. A 1947 graduate of Belvidere High School, she was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, past president of VFW Auxiliary Hugo Kaiser Post #1461 and Boone Post #77 of the American Legion; former member of Maple Crest Auxiliary and Moose Lodge Auxiliary; American Legion Salon 40 & 8 Auxiliary; past member of VFW Drill Team and former member of VFW Lady Bugs; Gold Star Sister; member of the Pinochle Card Club. Helen loved playing cards (especially pinochle), traveling, and cooking for her family, spending the holidays with them and making Christmas cookies with her granddaughters. She was an exceptional caregiver to her grandmother.

Survivors include her husband Clifford; daughters Linda (Terry) Baier and Karen (Mike) Shook, both of Belvidere; grandchildren Scott Fowler, Jason and Justin White, Jeramy (Jessica) Sorrenson, Tiffany (David) Jacobson, and Stephanie Gunn; great-grandchildren Beaux, Rusty, Dillon, and Dustin Fowler, Megan, Brett, Lindsey, Brittany, and Parker White, Bishopp and Addison Gunn, and Kailey Jacobson; special nieces and nephews Brenda Falk, Rusty and Kevin Bodey, Rita Griffeth, and Ross Humphrey, and numerous other nieces and nephews; and two sisters Alma Humphrey of Clovis, CA, and Katherine Bodey of Belvidere. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Leroy and Lloyd Footh, and sister Evelyn Prather.

Funeral services will be at 11 AM Tuesday, December 30, 2008, in the Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, with the Rev. Allan Buss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Highland Garden of Memories. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9 AM until service time.