Helen Louise Zeilmann was born in Wattsville, Alabama on December 26, 1926. She died in Springfield, Missouri on June 7, 2017.  She was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Annie (Lovell) Layton, her brothers Bruce, Bob, and Bill Layton, her sister Betty Billings, two infant sisters, and her son Wayne Smith.  She was the oldest of seven siblings, all of whom preceded her in death.  Helen is survived by her husband Jim Zeilmann, her daughters Charlotte Budde and Carla Zeilmann, her sons-in-law Gene Budde and Thomas Rudnick, and her daughter-in-law Pam Cofoid (married to Paul Cofoid), and sister-in-law Judy Niewoehner (married to Al Niewoehner).  She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Tina Budde Fleckenstein (married to Jamey Fleckenstein), Scott Budde (married to Kristina Budde), Beau Smith (married to Molly Smith), Stephanie Gaines (married to Gil Gaines), Wayne Rudnick, and Grant Rudnick; and seven great-granddaughters, Macey, Kassidy, and Kennedy Budde,  Jazmin, Courtney, and Myia Smith, and Haley Fleckenstein.  Helen also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.  She loved her family and friends more than anything else.

Helen retired after many years in a nursing career.  She loved to grow vegetables and flowers in her gardens, and truly enjoyed cooking for her family and friends.  She liked to fish in Minnesota and watch the sun set over the gulf in Florida.  Every year Helen enjoyed her visits back to her Alabama family. She took pleasure in listening to old-time gospel music.  She adored her little pets. She was quick to laugh. Helen was a light to anyone who knew her. She will always be treasured and will be dearly missed.

Funeral services will be held graveside at 10 am Tuesday June 13, 2017 at Hillcrest Memory Gardens, 21925 Washington Road, in Morton IL.