Freeport – Helen Marie (Rockey) Fullerton, 92 passed peacefully surrounded by family at 12:03pm on 12/28/23 after a stroke.  Helen was born in Freeport on 8/24/1931 to Dr. LF and Flossie (Priewe) Rockey.  She was the eldest of 3 daughters.

She had a very happy childhood in Orangeville and Freeport.  She graduated from Freeport High School in 1949.  To this day she could tell you who lived in every house around her neighborhood and beyond.  It was a close community and in those days everyone knew their neighbors.

It was during her Home Economics studies at Purdue University that she met her future husband, Charles D. Fullerton.  They were married on her 21st birthday in 1952.  Together they made their home after graduation in LaFayette, Indiana.  During the next 12 years two daughters were born, and in 1964 they moved to be closer to family in Freeport.  They built a house south of Eleroy, Illinois.  Helen enjoyed being a stay at home Mom, while doing some substitute teaching in area schools.

In 1968, they moved west of Freeport to Harlem Center road and enjoyed country living.  Helen started a dog boarding kennel; they called "Chelen's Kennel". (That stands for Chuck plus Helen).  She loved watching other people's dogs, even though they had 7 dogs of their own.  It has been rumored that if you sent a post card to your pet while on vacation, she would go out and read the card to your pet.  She put her heart into everything she did

When her daughters were in high school, Helen went to work outside the home.  She very much enjoyed the years she worked at Economy, St. Paul, and Met Life Insurance companies in Freeport.  Many co-workers will remember enjoying the baked goodies she loved to share at work.

When they bought a 5th wheel camper, traveling became their next hobby.  Door County and a 3 week trip through Nova Scotia were the big trips, along with many weekend outings with camping friends or grandchildren.  Many great memories were made while camping with Grandma Helen and Grandpa Chuck.

Charles passed in 2008 and Helen chose to move into assisted living in Freeport after a few years.  She reconnected with acquaintances she had known through the years and made new friends too.

Helen was predeceased by her parents and her husband.  She is survived by her daughters and their families as follows:

Terri (Daryl) Thyberg of McConnell, Illinois and their children, Tamie (Dr. Greg) Dammann, Joanie Gora (Jeremy Morse) and Andrew (Nicole) Thyberg.

Cathy (Tim) Nelson of Durant, Iowa and their daughter, Amanda (Austin Armold) Weik.

Great- Grandchildren:  Sophia (Daniel) Vale, Samantha (David) Wichman, Cameron (Maddy) Dammann, Nate Dammann (Fiance – Lily Prabhaker), Ellie and Ethan Gora – Thyberg, Haley, Gracelyn, Brooklyn, Delyla, Brayden, Mary, Gad, Elijah and Isaiah Thyberg.

Great Great Grandchildren:  Flora Grace and Poppy Louise Wichman, Margaret Ruth and Jennifer Joy Vale.

She is also survived by her two sisters; Roberta Dildine of Dallas, TX and Catherine (Kit) Baldwin of Freeport and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held on January 14, 2024 beginning at 1pm and a service to immediately follow at 2pm all at Walker Mortuary in Freeport.  Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com