Helen L. Zobrist

Saturday, October 10, 2020
9:00 to 11:00 am
Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Saturday, October 10, 2020
11:00 am
Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

A beautiful soul has been lifted to heaven. Helen Lorraine (Shoot) Zobrist, 57, born August 30, 1962, passed from this life into life everlasting on June 28, 2020. Helen came into the world in the Philippine Islands, while her father was stationed at Clark Air Force Base. The Shoot family moved to Florida when she was three years old. In grade school, she lived in Maryland and Missouri before settling in Highland, Illinois. In high school, Helen showed a variety of talents by playing softball, running track, singing in the choir and acting in several plays. A wonderful blend of sweet and salty - she exuded great joy and a feisty spirit in equal measure.

Helen married Jeff Siegner in 1981 and started her family with two children - John in 1983, and Kristina in 1986. In 1995, Helen married Tim Zobrist, and through their love for each other, their family grew with another daughter, Madison, in 1998. For Helen, family was her core. Her brand of motherhood blended unconditional love and fierce loyalty with the high expectations of a tough taskmaster. She supported her kids from the sidelines, but also stepped in to coach many softball teams over the years. She taught many kids (and probably some parents) how to win and lose gracefully. She spread positivity and thoroughly enjoyed watching others succeed, whether in sports, on game shows, or on her favorite TV show, The Voice.

Helen’s life was one of servant leadership. She found professional fulfillment and her true calling as a realtor, helping families find their own special place to call home. She also volunteered at the United Church of Christ in Osseo, WI, where she sang in the choir and followed her faith to help spread the word of God.

Helen and Tim quickly made friends and built strong ties wherever they lived. She was widely known as fun, kind, strong, brave and welcoming, often generously sharing her home, food, and pontoon boat. Life on the lake was her happy place, and she had a unique way of helping people around her feel relaxed. Her love of music, and her soulful renditions of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “I Got You Babe”, a duet with husband Tim, were the stuff of legends.

Helen ensured her children knew the value of sticking together. After relocating to Wisconsin, her whole clan regularly trekked to Illinois for holidays and fishing trips to stay connected with extended family. She especially valued spending time with her two granddaughters, cheering them on, watching movies, fishing, drawing, baking, and making cherished memories whenever possible. Her definition of family extended to her beloved dogs, who guarded her jealously and gave her great comfort, especially during her battle with cancer.

Helen’s bright light shined on us all too briefly. Those who will miss her most are her loving husband, Tim Zobrist of Rice Lake, WI; son John Siegner of Yorktown, VA; daughter Kristina (Jeff) Pasalich of Woodbury, MN and their two daughters, Kira and Kali; and daughter Madison Zobrist, a student at University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Helen is also survived by her devoted mother, Dolorse Shoot of Highland, IL; her three sisters, Rebecca (Al) Brislain of Sparks, NV, Mary Ann (Paul) Peters of Alhambra, IL, and Barbara Kay Stille of Woodbury, MN; and her brother John (Leann) Shoot of Highland, IL. She was welcomed to heaven by her father, Gene Shoot, and her brother-in-law, David Stille.

A memorial service commemorating Helen’s life will be held on October 10, 2020 with a visitation open to the public from 9-11 a.m. and service for family immediately following at the Meridith Funeral Home, 1223 Broadway, Highland, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Helen’s honor to K-9s for Warriors (https://www.k9sforwarriors.org/) or to support cancer research at Mayo Clinic (https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC).

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.