OBITUARY: Helen Johanna Kniepmann of Melbourne Passed Away Peacefully July 11 at 88

was active at Ascension Parish in Melbourne after moving to Florida in 2000

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Helen Johanna Kniepmann passed away peacefully with children by her side on July 11, 2022. She is survived by four children, Mark, Ken, Kathy (Beshears), and Joe. She is also survived by her sister, Bert Voss.

Ray Kniepmann, Helen’s husband of almost 55 years, passed away on January 24, 2011. She is also preceded in death by siblings Eleanor Voss, Dorothy Haselhorst, and Lenny Laux. She has ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Helen was born Helen Johanna Laux to parents Julius and Celia Laux and raised on a farm in Clinton County Illinois where she attended a one-room elementary school. She graduated from Saint Dominic’s Catholic High school in Breese, Illinois. Later she met and married Ray who grew up nearby in Germantown.

They were married in 1956. They moved to St. Louis County, where they had and raised their children Mark, Ken, Kathy and Joe.

Helen worked as a secretary at their children’s grade school, St. Mary’s, and later was employed as a Certified Professional Secretary by Boeing Corporation. She retired in 1997.

Helen and Ray were very active in their parish, St. Mary’s in Bridgton, Mo. They also became active at Ascension Parish in Melbourne, Florida after their move in 2000. Helen and Ray loved living in Florida.

Helen was a volunteer at Community of HOPE for several years. She was a member of the Cancer Prayer Group, Funeral Choir, Adoration Chapel, ACCW Sewing Group, and the Memorial Garden Committee.

Helen was a cancer survivor after a six-year battle with stage 4 breast cancer from 2006 to 2012. She later wrote a book about the struggle of fighting cancer and how God worked His miracle and gave her a cure.

Helen loved her family. She enjoyed yard work, refinishing furniture, sewing and had interests in politics and sports. Helen enjoyed participating in parish activities and had a deep faith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ascension Catholic Parish, Melbourne, Florida.

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