Person:Helen Lepley (1)

1920 Viroqua, Vernon, WI Federal Census 1930 Viroqua, Vernon, WI Federal Census

Helen Leone (Lepley) Fincher of Waupaca, Wisconsin, passed away on August 10, 2004

Helen was born in Chicago on July 3, 1912 to Milena Jorgine Hanson and Mahlon Herbert Lepley. When she was about 5 years old, her parents moved to a farm near her mother's birthplace in Viroqua. She grew up there, going to grade school, Viroqua High School and Vernon County Normal. She taught school for two years. In 1937 she returned to Chicago, where she lived and worked. She was married to Jess K. Fincher in 1951 who preceded her in death in 1972. Helen was active in Eastern Star, the Dickinson Society and the McDougal Society. She was an avid reader and traveler as well as very interested in politics, art and golf. She was a longtime, active member of the First Methodist Church of Rogers Park in Chicago where she was president of the United Methodist Women. In 1996 she moved to Waupaca and joined Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Mahlon Herbert Lepley Jr.

She is survived by her two sisters, Eileen Pierce of Sun City, Arizona and Rachael Lavold of Waupaca. Three nephews also survive her, Daniel Lavold (Donna) of Waupaca, David Lavold (Mary) of DeForest and Jon Pierce (Jan) of Solon Springs. She had seven great-nieces and nephews and two great-great-nieces.

There will be a graveside service held on September 5, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the Viroqua Cemetery where her mother and husband are buried. The Rev. Ki Sung Kim will be conducting the service.

Helen wrote for her obituary:

"Do not stand at my grave and forever weep,

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am in the thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.

I am not there, I did not die."