Helen M Bersted

Helen M. Bersted, age 87, of Monmouth, Illinois; passed away at Galesburg Cottage Hospital in Galesburg, Illinois on June 1, 2011 at 6:30 pm. She was born May 20, 1924 in rural Swan Township of Warren County and is the daughter of Ira W and Naomi Cochran Huston. Her grade school years were at Parker rural school in Point Pleasant Township of the county. She attended Roseville High School and graduated in 1942. Helen then attended and graduated from Mac Murray College in Jacksonville, Illinois where she received her degree in Physical Education. Helen married George M. Bersted on June 21, 1947 in Roseville, Illinois. He preceded her in death on October 2, 1997. Helen came to Monmouth College and with Mary Fleming developed the Women's physical education major for the college. She worked as an instructor in physical education at Monmouth College from 1946 to 1948. She then prided herself at being a stay at home mom from 1948 to 1959. In 1959, along with Dr. James and Lou Ebersole, she became involved with the planning for the development of Warren Achievement School in Monmouth She began as secretary of the board of directors and volunteered as co-director from 1963 to 1974. In 1975 she became the chairman of the United Way Campaign in Warren County and served on the board of directors from 1976 to 1979. Helen then served as Executive Director of the Warren County United Way from 1979 and until her retirement in 1996, overall 22 years. Helen is a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church and has served as Deacon. She also served a term on the board of directors of Jamieson Center of Monmouth during the 1960s. From 1973 to 1978 she served on the board of the Warren County YMCA. She also was a member of Civic Club locally and joined the Monmouth Rotary Club in 1998 and to the present. She also was a member of the OSF Holy Family Auxillary and was a founder, serving on the first board of directors, of the Maple Leaf Community Concert Series. Surviving Helen are three daughters Debbie (Russell) Stanton, Judy (Steve) Andrews, and Nancy Bersted, all of Monmouth. Two sons, William Bersted of Belvidere, Illinois and Mark (Laura ) Bersted of Olathe, Kansas. There are nine grandchildren and four step grandchildren and two great grandchildren and nineteen step great grandchildren surviving. Her sister Barbara McCreight of Jeffersonville, IN and brother John C. Huston of Homewood, Illinois survives. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother. Services:A funeral service will be 11:00 am on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Her family plans to receive friends on Tuesday evening June 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral service. A memorial fund is being established for either Faith United Presbyterian Church, the Warren County United Way, or the Warren Acheivement Center, all in Monmouth, IL