Helen Clare Sillstrop

Helen Clare (Kurtz) Sillstrop passed away peacefully on April 2nd, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on November 6th, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa to Louis Clarence and Helen Margaret Kurtz. Helen Clare attended school in Des Moines at St. Augustine's grade school and St. Josephs Academy high school, graduating in 1948. At an early age she showed great talent and love for dance. As a young woman she performed in ballet and other dance programs in Des Moines, often at the Tangle Wood Cottage. She continued preforming throughout college, dancing for many years of her life. Helen Clare attended Loretto Heights College in Denver Colorado, earning her BA in Home Economics. While in college she met her husband, Charles Richard Sillstrop (Charlie) while on a double date. Helen Clare's date was actually the other fellow but attraction to one another sparked and they soon fell in love. This love grew strong and lasted their entire lives. They were married at St. Augustine's in Des Moines on September 8th, 1954. Helen Clare and Charlie Sillstrop made their home in Denver, Colorado. They chose to raise their eight children first in St Dominic's and then in St Catherine's parishes. Their faith was strong and guided them through the good and bad times in their life. The hardest was losing their youngest son Michael when he was 16. Helen Clare and Charlie were gracious hosts and their home on Lowell Blvd was always open to their family and friends. Helen Clare's kindness and generosity knew no bounds. She was also a great cook, just ask her family. Helen Clare's surviving children are: Ted (Teresa) Sillstrop, children Ian Sillstrop, Jason Sillstrop, (engaged to Brittany and her daughter Olivia), and Emma (Chris) Barrett. Nancy (Mike) Zoellner, children Kelsey (Trey) Schuler and their son Roger, Sarah (Arun) Kottoor and Michael (Emily) Zoellner. Louis (Tammy) Sillstrop, children Peter, Audrey, Timothy and Molly Sillstrop and Joshua (Jen) Clare, their daughters Jackie, Avalea and Evangeline, and Ty Clare. Mary (Tim) Obermiller, children Martha, Emily and Charlie Obermiller. John Damien (Laurie) Sillstrop, children Dominick (Kathryn) Bonny, their children Anna and Dresden, and Breeana Wolfe. H. Margaret Sillstrop, children Caroline Sillstrop and Peter Quinn. Catherine (Joe) White, children Taylor, Maddison and Elijah White. Also surviving are her sister Mary Alice Mitchell, brother John Kurtz, sister-in-law Beverly Shurgarts and brothers-in-law Don Nalty & Don Brungardt. Helen Clare was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles (1993); youngest son Michael (1984) & Granddaughter Virginia Grace (2000). Rosary will be Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 10:00am, both at St. Dominic Catholic Parish, 2905 Federal Boulevard, Denver. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following: Loretto Heights College Legacy Fund c/o Regis University 3333 Regis Blvd., B-16 Denver, CO 80221-1099 The Flynn Mansion Endowment, for the care and upkeep c/o Molly Larson, Living History Farms 2600 111th Street Urbandale, IA 50322 Arrupe Jesuit STAR Endowment Fund 4343 Utica Street Denver, CO 80211 Please share your memories of Helen and condolences with the family by signing the guestbook below.