Helga Hester, 86, of Iuka, passed away Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

She was born June 11, 1938, in Ludwigsfeld, Germany.  She was the youngest of nine children born to George and Elizabeth (Houseman) Frank.  On June 15, 1962, at Wiley Barracks Military Chapel in Neu-Ulm, West Germany, she married Charles C. Hester, and he preceded her in death on December 29, 2019.

She enjoyed gardening, and traveling the country, and with her husband, visited the vast majority of the United States National Parks.

Helga is survived by one son, Thomas Hester and wife Cheryl of Dix; one son-in-law, Bob Ratts of Iuka; three grandchildren, Justin Ratts and wife Amie of Alma, Jasmine Ratts of Iuka, and Brandy Karcher and husband Kurt of Dix; five great-grandchildren, Kaleb Ratts, Kalin Bass, and Zoey Ratts, all of Alma, and Ella and Kaitlyn Karcher of Dix; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Caroline Ratts; two step-sons, Gene Hester and Randy Hester; and her siblings.

Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Hester will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Iuka Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with a time of remembrance at 7:00 p.m.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Iuka Cemetery, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830.  Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.