Helene Kenney Nelson, age 93, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died Monday, April 4, 2016, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She was born December 2, 1922 in Chicago, IL to Adolph and Lillian Dittrich.

Helene grew up in the Austin area of Chicago and attended Siena High School in Oak Park, IL and DePaul University. She worked for Belden Corporation for many years managing their credit union.

Helene was an avid collector of dolls and paper weights, a world traveler, and a generous supporter to dozens of charities. Time took her eyesight and much of her hearing but she remained an optimistic, generous, clear minded and prayerful person throughout her life. She was the matriarch of the Dittrich Family, and the one her family turned to in a crisis.

She is survived by her brother, Bill (Janet) Dittrich; her nephew Jim (Laticia) Dittrich, Jim's children, Addison, Taylor & Chelsea Dittrich; nephew Bill Dittrich; nephew Greg (Becky) Dittrich, Greg's children Terri Doran and John Oliver; and Helene's dear friend, Lori Henningsen, and her children, Nick & Andy Henningsen, Jessica Fijolek, and grand-daughter Aaliyah Henningsen. Through the Nelson family, Helene had 4 step-daughters, Linda (Bill) Kelo, Susan (Bob) Schmiesing, Janet (the late Bernie) Kiser, and Karen (John) Schellinger; 10 grandchildren including Rick & Fred Kelo, Amy Kaup, Jason & Eric Schmiesing, Beth, David, & Scott Kiser and Adam & Kate Schellinger, plus many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Thomas F. Kenney and Robert C. Nelson.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 11, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. Prayers will be said at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church , 101 West Loop Rd., in Wheaton, IL. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, IL.