Helen McFedries Severson, 104, Santa Claus

Helen McFedries Severson, 104, of Santa Claus, formerly of Oak Park, Illinois, passed away Friday, August 18, 2017, at Scenic Hills Care Center in Ferdinand.

Helen was born September 25, 1912, in Highland Park, Michigan, to George McDuff McFedries and Elsie Roos Wilson McFedries. She was united in marriage on June 17, 1939, to James Thomas Severson who preceded her in death.

Helen was a retired office manager for Aetna Plating Works in Chicago. She was a member of First United Church of Oak Park. She was a graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois, and also attended the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign.

She was preceded in death by a brother, George W. McFedries.

She is survived by two daughters, Georgia Rush and Carol Severson, both of Santa Claus; a sister-in-law, Phyllis McFedries of San Diego, Calif.; two granddaughters, Carol (Brett) Hagedorn of Tell City and Jennifer (Eric) Schmidt of Lamar; and five great-grandchildren, Christina Schmidt, Eric Schmidt, Amber Schmidt, Emily Hagedorn and Kyle Hagedorn.

Graveside services will be held at Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois.

Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of local arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherfuneralhome.com.