Helen Lenore (Traxler) Kechele

HELEN  LENORE  KECHELE, age 97, (nee Traxler), beloved wife of the late Philip H., married June 1948, loving mother of Philip O. Kechele (Julie), and the late Ann Kechele Jones (Ronald), dear grandmother of Brad and Becky Jones, Pete Kechele (Leah), and Dan Kechele (Elise), great grandmother of Mae, Ann, Oliver and Lily Kechele, sister of the late Faythe, Virginia, Dillon, Letha, Eunice and Yvonne. Funeral Service, Friday, March 3 at 7:00 pm at Baker-Osinski-Kensinger Funeral Home, 206 Front Street, Berea, Ohio, 44017 where friends may call Friday from 5:30-7:00 pm (time of service). The family would like to express gratitude to the General and Care Staff of The Fountains at Bronson Place and the Hospice professionals for the loving care they showed Helen in her final days. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Centrica Care Navigators,7100 Stadium Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009.  Helen was strong in her convictions; strong in facing life’s challenges that could break others; strong in her Christian faith in the Glory of the Beyond. She was smart and observant of the human condition, and behavior. She was an independent career woman long before that was “the thing to do”: becoming a Registered Nurse along with 2 of her sisters, Letha and Eunice, training as Nurse Cadets during World War II; she eventually rose to become a nursing leader amongst her nursing peers, who described her as competent, caring, capable, efficient and always reliable. She worked as an Occupational Nurse out a NASA Lewis Rocket Research Center for 20 years; and in addition to leading that program, she also established and ran the NASA blood bank and trained Paramedics how to stabilize victims of accidents and heart attacks in the field. Kind and funny with a nice giggle, Helen was fun to be around until the end of her days; and she made friends quickly wherever she went in whatever circumstances she was placed. Helen was a loving wife for over 50 years to Phil H. Kechele, loving mother, grandma, and GG (great grandma) to her 2 children, 4 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids. Helen became a family inspiration and example to follow for all her family. Her family appreciated Helen’s delicious cooking and the efficiency with how she kept the household running. Her grandchildren enjoyed Helen’s attention and how she taught them “life lessons”. Helen’s diminutive physique and sweet demeanor hid an incredibly tough and steely constitution and she continued to defy the expectations of many of her doctors until the end of her life. She lived a long, productive, and happy life, leaving no regrets or unused life on the table as she left this mortal coil. She had a great life force and optimistic attitude that has driven her forward for 97 years and her last understandable words before she slipped into a more comatose state were, “What a good day for a party!” and that is a pretty good summary of how Helen lived her 97 years!

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