Obituaries : Helen Louise Bruch Rabe

Helen Louise Bruch Rabe, 96, of Blairstown, went to her heavenly home on December 12, 2024. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, Blairstown, with Pastor Jeffrey Schanbacher officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 3, at the church. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Helen's family.

Helen was born NW of Blairstown on May 30, 1928, the daughter of Daniel William and Gertrude Louise (Gearhart) Bruch. She attended country school NE of Luzerne until the family moved to a farm SW of Vinton. She then attended public school in Vinton, graduating from Vinton High School in 1946. While in high school, Helen was in the band as well as a member of the 1946 National Honor Society. On June 16, 1946, Helen was united in marriage to Wayne L. Rabe at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton. They lived their entire married life on the family farm SW of Blairstown where she was a homemaker while helping Wayne on the farm and raising four children. Helen continued living on the farm after Wayne's passing in 2007 until moving to the Senior Suites at the Keystone Care Center in Keystone in the spring of 2022.

Helen was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, Blairstown, as well as a 70-year member of the Jolly Neighbor's Club. She enjoyed playing cards and making greeting cards. She continued making greeting cards while at the Senior Suites, which she then gave to people at the care center. Also, while at the care center, Helen enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles, completing close to 100 puzzles.

Helen is survived by three children: Jim (Connie) Rabe of Center Point, Joe Rabe of Blairstown, and Nancy (Scott) Zimmerman of Windsor, CO; daughter-in-law, Diane Rabe of Blairstown; eight grandchildren: Stacie Rabe of San Diego, CA, Matt Rabe of Rockville, UT, Mike Rabe of Anchorage, AK, Ben (Jessica) Rabe of Blairstown, Mark Rabe of Lexington, MA, Daniel (Courtney) Rabe of Marion, Eric Zimmerman of Rifle, CO, and Ryan (Ali) Zimmerman of Windsor, CO; eight great-grandchildren: Noah, Eli, Grace, Carson, and Jorga Rabe, Olivia Rabe, and Colton and Barrett Zimmerman; and sister, Jean Hayes of Ely, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 61 years, Wayne; son, Jerry Rabe; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Tom Shinn; brothers: William, Charles, and John Bruch; sister-in-law, Anne Bruch; and brother-in-law, Bob Hayes.

Instead of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Helen's name.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.