Helen Ueleke

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Helen Marie Ueleke, 97, of Nashville, formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Nashville.

She was born in 1922 in St. Louis to the Rev. William H. Wolfe and Lena L. Wolfe. She moved to Cape Girardeau in 1937 when her father was called to pastor Grace United Methodist Church. She attended Southeast Missouri State University.

In 1941, Helen married Norman H. Ueleke and taught school briefly at Gordonville and Chaffee, Missouri. Later, she helped to manage the family business, Ueleke Hardware, for 25 years. A musician at heart, Helen not only learned to play the piano and organ at an early age, but went on to teach others for many years. In addition to being organist at Grace United Methodist for several decades, she played for countless weddings and funerals.

Her faith was the focus of her life in all that she did. As a member of Grace United Methodist for 82 years, she was a Sunday school teacher into her early 90s. For many years, she was very active in United Methodist Women at both the local and state level, holding several leadership positions. Those leadership skills also led to involvement in Church Women United as president and member of the state board.

Helen is survived by a sister, Ruth Nothdurft; sister-in-law, Gisele Wolfe; two children, John (Margaret) Ueleke and Norma (Chuck) Engelhardt; four grandchildren, Mindy Fischer, Brian Ueleke, Abi Thomas and Aaron Engelhardt; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, brother, sister and a great-grandson.

Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church on Friday with visitation at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Zion United Methodist Cemetery in Gordonville.

Memorial donations may be given to Grace United Methodist Church, 521 Caruthers Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; Birthright, P.O. Box 741, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-0741; or Adult and Teen Challenge Mid-America, 303 Matc Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.