Helen Lucille Greenhagel, age 74, of Rochelle, IL, passed away on July 14, 2025. She was born August 7, 1950 in Delafield, IL to her loving parents, Paul Eugene Allen and Virginia Lois Van Winkle.

Helen grew up in the McLeansboro area of southern Illinois before her family relocated to the Elgin area. She spent over four decades working at ITW Shakeproof’s Elgin location, retiring in 2019 after more than 40 years of dedicated service.

Helen and her husband of 51 years, Robert Greenhagel, built a beautiful life together. They raised their family in the Valley View area of St. Charles, creating a home filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. After their children were grown, Helen and Bob fulfilled a dream by moving to a farm in Rochelle, where they spent the past 20 years together.

Helen was known for her resilience and for her joyful, contagious laugh. She had a deep love for iced tea—always with lots and lots of ice—and an enduring passion for reading, a joy she shared with her mother by exchanging books back and forth. In retirement, she embraced technology by transitioning to a tablet, but her love of stories remained unchanged.

Though she had a notorious fear of heights—bridges and elevators alike—Helen’s family always respected her fears, even if they occasionally lightened the mood with a gentle joke. Helen’s stern looks and shouted names in response became cherished family memories, always rooted in love.

Most of all, Helen adored being a grandmother. She beamed with pride as her three oldest grandchildren graduated from college, and she cherished the summers spent with her youngest four, who eagerly helped around the farm.

Helen leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and laughter. She will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sharon Jackson; and oldest daughter, Sara E. Buschek. She is survived by her husband, Robert E. Greenhagel; daughters, Jennifer Cuevas and Jessica Greenhagel; sister, Janet (Terry) Seyller; and grandchildren, Kristina, Ashley, Joaquin, Dylan, Ethan, Morgan, and Courtney.

Visitation will be 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, and continue from 11:00am until funeral service at 12:00pm, Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120. Dave Johnson will be officiating.

To access the funeral service remotely, loved ones are encouraged to log on via Zoom (Meeting ID: 868 9576 5259, Password: 354320).

Interment will be private.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.