Dr. Helmut Adam Awender passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on May 21, 2022 at age 92.  He was born on November 26, 1929 in Pantschowa, Yugoslavia to Dr. Jakob and Eva (Saier) Awender.  He spent many carefree days of his youth swimming in the River Tamis with his brothers.  Due to World War II, Helmut resettled in Schaerding, Austria, where he met the love of his life, Martha Stary.  They moved to Vienna, where he continued his studies, and the two were married on May 10, 1952.

Together they emigrated to Canada in 1953, and, upon receipt of their visas, moved to Chicago in the summer of 1955.  It was there that Helmut enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, completing his degree in 1964.  By then, Helmut and Martha had 4 children and moved the family to Freeport, where Helmut practiced dentistry for 36 years.

A sports enthusiast, Helmut excelled at swimming, bicycling, racquetball, table tennis, archery, and dancing with his beloved Martha.  He was a licensed pilot, certified scuba diver, self-taught woodworker, and avid photographer.  He and Martha travelled the world together, making friends wherever they went.  Helmut deeply appreciated other cultures and spoke several languages.  In later years, he loved gardening and making bread, ice cream, and fruit juices for his family.  A lifelong music lover, he played the accordion, the organ, and the harmonica, leading his family in song at their annual Christmas gathering.  Of all his interests, Helmut was most passionate about world history and geography, happy to share his knowledge with others until the wee hours.

Helmut was a devoted and generous family man.  More than anything, his greatest joy was being surrounded by his loved ones.

Helmut was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, U.S. Grant Dental Society, Institute for German-American Relations, and Danube-Swabian Society.

Helmut was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, parents, Dr. Jakob and Eva Awender, parents-in-law, Karl and Maria Stary, brothers, Dr. Erich and Dr. Herbert Awender, sisters-in-law, Adelheid Awender and Gertrude Ertl, and nephew, Ralph Awender.

He is survived by his children, Martha (Anton) Rosc of Freeport, IL, Dr. Reinhardt (Mary) Awender of Freeport, IL, Dr. Erich (Carolyn) Awender of Freeport, IL, and Christine Awender of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Anthony (Danielle) Rosc of Pasadena, CA, Christina (Christian) Pilz of Vienna, Austria, Angela (Andrew) Reeter of Freeport, IL, Alexander Rosc of Chicago, IL, Reinhardt (Dana) Awender of Freeport, IL, Jakob (Catherine) Awender of Crystal Lake, IL, Maria (Cort) Lawton of Crystal Lake, IL, Erich Awender of McHenry, IL, Ana Awender of Freeport, IL, Katya Awender of Schaumburg, IL, and Adam Awender of Freeport, IL; great-grandchildren, Vanessa Pilz,Teo Pilz, Nora Awender, Mac Lawton, and Kane Lawton; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Walker Mortuary in Freeport, IL.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Freeport, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helmut's memory to the following organizations:  St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Freeport Catholic Schools, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.

Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com.