Helen M. Ottensmeier, 81, of Aviston, died Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at Carlyle Healthcare Center in Carlyle. She was born July 8, 1925 in St. Rose, daughter of Herman and Mary A. (Stoff) Ottensmeier.

She is survived by one brother, Joseph Ottensmeier and wife Viola of Trenton; two sisters, Clara Brandmeyer of New Baden and Margaret J. Ottensmeier of Aviston; she is also survived by nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Francis Ottensmeier and two sisters, Mary Ottensmeier and Sally A. Ottensmeier.

She was a lifetime teacher, starting in the country schools of Wilken School in Germantown, Kalmer School in Damiansville and Jenne School in Beaver Prarie. She then taught in many Catholic schools as a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ and ended her career at the St. Rose School teaching there for twenty years before retiring in 1991.

She was a member of St. Francis Parish and Altar Sodality and the Daughters of Isabella Circle 718.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2006 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman officiating. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2006 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2006 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 4 p. m. and the Daughters of Isabella will pray the rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the St. Francis Improvement Fund and will be received at the funeral home.