Helen Christine (Soderholm) Hill, 92, of Waterman, passed away in the early morning of December 7, 2022 at Prairie Crossing Nursing Home, Shabbona in the company of her children.

Helen was born September 5, 1930 in Geneva to Arwood and Constance (Johnson) Soderholm.

Helen graduated from Batavia High School. She married William Oliver Hill on June 20, 1953 in Batavia. The couple settled into farming life, first near Elburn, then Kaneville and ending on a farm outside of Waterman. After her husband's passing in 1979, Helen moved to a house in Waterman, took a job at Waterman State Bank working for 18 years. Long after retiring from the bank, she moved to the Prairie Crossing Supportive Living facility in Shabbona. Helen was a devoted wife, working alongside her husband daily on the family homestead. She was a loving and steadfast mother to four children. Helen was an active grandmother and great

grandmother to each growing generation, never missing a birthday or holiday card with her token $2 bill enclosed. She enjoyed putting together puzzles and reading as well as playing bingo, cards or Upwords with cherished friends and family. She was famous at family gatherings for her ice box cake, fruit salad and always present dish of M&Ms on the kitchen counter. Helen was a member of the Waterman United Methodist Church, loving the opportunity to raise her voice in song. She stayed active within her community's church and civic groups. Helen's servant's heart was evident in countless hours of voluntary service and formally recognized when the City of Waterman bestowed upon her their Citizen of the Year in 1998.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant brothers, Arwood Jr and James; her sister Avis Nordstrom; her husband William; her daughter Constance Marie Burlingame and grandson James Adam Dankenbring.

She is survived by her brother Ralph (Linda) Soderholm of Carbon Cliff, son Scott (Karen) Hill of Rockford, Keith Burlingame, husband of the late Connie (Hill) Burlingame of Dawsonville, GA, daughter Martha (Joseph) Dankenbring of Mendota, son Howard (Kimberly) Hill of Antioch, twenty-one grandchildren: Keegan Hill, Alec Hill, Kellen (Angeliz Gonzafan) Hill, Aren Hill, Breida (Josh Kissel) Hill, Peter (Danica) Burlingame, Ellen (John) Turck, Joel (Alyxandra) Burlingame, Angela Dankenbring, Monica (Todd) Zimmerlein, Kristin (Josh) Decker, Kenneth (Melinda Dinges) Dankenbring, Ashley (Michael) Grahl, Casey Hill, Isaac (Alyssa) Hill, Griffin Hill, Theo Hill, Bailey Hill, Lucy Hill, Owen Hill, Phoebe Hill and sixteen+ great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held December 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Waterman United Methodist Church with Pastor Eric Reniva officiating. A time of visitation will be held prior to the service from 10 to 11 am. Private burial will be at Johnson Grove Cemetery following the service. Arrangements have been handled by Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.

Memorials may be directed to Waterman United Methodist Church or the donors' charity of choice in Helen's name.