Helen Burgston

Helen Marie Burgston, 97, passed away peacefully on Sunday February 5, 2023, in Geneseo, IL.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, Geneseo.  Reverend Dr. Chris Ritter will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be directed to First United Methodist Church, Geneseo and Heartland Hospice.

Helen was born November 7, 1925, to Clarence and Freda Oetzel in Prophetstown, IL, and attended their schools. She married Bernard Mattson in 1946, and moved to Ophiem, IL, where their three children were born. In 1954, Bernard died in an accident on their farm and the following year she moved back to Prophetstown to be near her family. She worked many years as a cook for the elementary school, while raising her children. She married Harold Burgston in 1968 and moved to Geneseo. They shared a wonderful marriage, merging her family with Harold's two children.  She was an active member of First United Methodist Church and a 25-year volunteer for the Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo.

She is survived by her children Connie (Ken) Kyte, Larry(Kathy) Mattson, Brenda (Ray) Bercume, stepson Rich (Cheri) Burgston, grandchildren Jill (Matt) Graham, Trevor Kyte, Kelly (Mike) MacKenzie, Justin (Leslie) Mattson, Luke (Krysta) Mattson, Josh (Michelle) Mattson, Aaron (Rebecca) Hatfield, Calvin (Marissa) Hatfield, Brad (Kris) Chapman, Amy (Reggie) Stalzer, Lisa (Jeff) Nyberg, step brother Rollin Weber, step sister Anita (Jerry) Oberle, sister-in-law Sarah Stees and 23 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Eddie, stepdaughter and husband Linda and Wayne Chapman and great granddaughter Simone Chapman.