Nurse, WWII veteran and cherished aunt, Helen Rita Finn, 99, passed away Friday, Feb 12, 2021 at Presence St. Joseph Center in Freeport IL. Helen was born in Pleasant Valley, IL to Steve and Ella (Carroll) Finn, the fifth of six children. She attended Neutral Ridge and Holy Cross schools, graduating from Stockton High in 1939. Starting her nursing training at St. Francis Hospital in Freeport, she graduated in June 1942 and was employed at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, WI.

During WWII she enlisted in the Army in May 1944 where she was commissioned second lieutenant.  In July 1944, Lt. Finn sailed for England and was stationed in an Army hospital in London. She spoke of returning to the United States on the Queen Mary. Helen was very proud of her service to our country.

Later, she moved to the Milwaukee area, where she continued nursing until her retirement. Helen was one of the first to become a nurse anesthetist in Wisconsin, an opportunity to advance in her field.

Helen often came home when not working to help her elderly parents and interact with her many nieces and nephews. We could always count on her to correct us!

Upon retiring, she moved to Rockford, IL for many years before making her way to Oakley Courts in Freeport in May 2010. This was her home until February 2020 when health issues necessitated the move to Presence St. Joseph's.

She enjoyed traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, an occasional brandy old-fashioned sweet or later in life, a sugar free iced coffee. Helen followed the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls along with many family sporting events.

Helen descended from a long line of "feisty" Irish women and she was often described the same way by those who knew her and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings and their spouses, Mildred (Stanley) Powers, Carl (Annalou) Finn, Joseph (Mildred) Finn, Dorothy (Kenneth)Raih, Eugene (June)Finn and a nephew Robert J. Finn.

She is survived by 18 nieces and nephews and their families, Jerry (Valerie) Powers, Arlene Pasek, Joanne Scotch, Julene Finn-Askins, William (Maggie) Finn, Thomas (Brenda) Finn, Carole Richter, Dr. Tom (Mollie) Raih, Gregory (Mollie) Raih, Daniel (Jean) Raih, Deanna (Tom Ewing) Raih, Natalie (Chris) Hack, Kristine Finn, Scott Finn, Timothy (Lauren) Finn, Van Patrick (Laura) Finn, Kathleen (Randall) Kruse, Colleen (Karl) Finn-Henze and Robert Finn's widow Nancy Finn.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Stockton at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Stockton. A memorial fund has been established.