Helen Ann LeBeau

Helen was born March 6, 1935, the eldest of three children to Rudolph and Viola Kanturek. She married her high school sweetheart, Bob LeBeau, on May 12, 1953. She is survived by her husband having spent a wonderful 73 years together. She was the proud mom to Bryon (Patti) and Valerie Schmitz (Mike). She was blessed with two grandchildren, Chris (Courtney) LeBeau and Gabrielle (Jackson) Schmitz and three great grandchildren, Tatum, Harlow and Rocco.

Helen has a sister, Liz Dalton. She was preceded in death by her brother, Clarence Kanturek, her sister-in-law, MaryAnn Kanturek, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ethel and Charlie Alexander, and brother-in-law, Fred Dalton.

She worked for 10 years as a bookkeeper for US Rubber Company before starting her family.

Helen’s family was her greatest and most cherished accomplishment. She took great joy in being with her family. Helen and Bob had a clubhouse on the Illinois River for over 50 years where family and friends spent summers gathering for weekends of boating, swimming, horseshoes, fishing and of course, many delicious meals prepared by Helen. She loved to cook and bake, always making sure no one ever left hungry. Her kitchen was always a hub of activity.

From throwing baseballs until she couldn’t throw another one to reading books and playing board games, to sitting at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee, she always loved spending time with her grandkids. She has left them with a great example of being a patient, compassionate and generous person.

We will celebrate her life with a visitation on May 28, 2026 from 10am to 11am followed by a mass at 11am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Collinsville IL. She will be laid to rest at Lake View Memorial Cemetery in Fairview Heights, IL.