Helen Marie Frerkes Dahl, 90 of Aledo, Illinois, passed away Monday, May 4, 2026. A 10 a.m. memorial Mass will be held at St. Catherine’s Church, Aledo, on Friday, May 8. The family will welcome friends to join them for conversation and a light lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Catherine’s Hall following the service. Remains will be interred at a private gathering at the Sugar Grove Cemetery later that afternoon. Memorials may be left to St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is assisting the family.
Helen was born June 4, 1935, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Herbert and Rosemary Schebler Frerkes. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Maysville, Iowa, through eighth grade and later graduated from Davenport High School. Helen married Rex LeRoy Dahl on February 11, 1956, in Davenport. Following their marriage they settled in Aledo where they owned and operated Dahl’s Laundry and Dry-Cleaning for many years until their retirement.
Helen and Rex enjoyed camping with their three children, Susie, Vicki, and Jeff, when they were young. They loved to play cards and enjoyed a monthly card club for over three decades. Helen was very active in her church, singing in the choir and arranging flowers for the altar every week at St. Catherine’s for many years. She regularly entered flower arrangements, photos, and antiques at the Mercer County Fair and was proud of her many awards. Mostly, she enjoyed her growing family and gathering together with her brothers and sisters.
Surviving are her children, Susan (Jim) Bigham of Aledo, Vicki (Don) Gladfelter of Milan, Illinois, and Jeff (Debbie) Dahl of Edmond, Oklahoma; siblings, Marilyn Ihlefeld, Patty Sackville, Rita Breitmeyer, Gary Frerkes, and Terry Frerkes; nine grandchildren, Christie (Jessie) Harrison, Jamie (Matt) Breeden, Brent (Angie) Bigham, Bridget (Josh) Wilkerson, Allison (Vince) Gladfelter Kispersky, Adam (Ana) Gladfelter, Kelsey (Ricky) Brothers, Jordon (Meagan) Dahl, and Jacobi (Donny) Amend; 26 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rex; sister, Betty Scharer; and sister, Karen Frerkes. Memorials may be directed to St. Catherine’s Church in Aledo.