Helga S. Holz, 85, of Naperville, formerly of Inverness, died October 24, 2023.

Helga was born in Kolberg, Germany to Erich & Hedwig Schmerling and grew up during World War II. Surviving the ravages of war and its aftermath, Helga emigrated to the USA as a 14-year-old in 1952. At the age of 16, attending a youth revival meeting, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord & Savior. During her junior year in HS, she left an unhealthy home life and became very independent, determined to support herself and complete school. She graduated High School in1957 and found a wonderful job at the Northern Trust Bank in Chicago. She met Hermann at church and they married in 1959. As they began their family, Helga felt called to devote her time to raising her children and taking care of their home while managing the financial records for Hermann when he formed his own real estate management company.

Helga loved to learn, educating herself as a way to improve all aspects of life. She loved to study the Bible and her quiet faith was her anchor. She delighted in hosting people in her home, serving in the church, gardening, decorating & cooking.

Helga cherished family gatherings, especially our annual vacation in northern Wisconsin, building memories and strengthening family bonds for over 20 years. Whether by car or by ship, she especially enjoyed traveling the world with Hermann.

She was a loving mother to Gregory (Teresa) Holz, Byron (Lyssa) Holz, and Miriam (Cameron) Sen; Grandmother to Kaitlyn Holz, Kristin (Justin) Kellar, David Sen, Jordan "Jay" Sen, & Elizabeth "Lizzy" Holz; Great-grandmother to Claire Kellar; and sister to Ekkehard Thies, Christiane (Stanley) Carlson-Thies, and Edgar Thies.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Hermann; her grandson Nathaniel Sen; and her brother Friedhelm "Fred" Schmerling.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 565 Randy Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188 . Additional visitation will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The service will be livestreamed via this link: https://youtube.com/live/VFXsTrSKBNE?feature=share Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Moody Bible Institute .

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.