Helen Ann Rantanen, 77, of Staunton, died at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, at her residence in Staunton.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 3, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton with Pastor Jacob Skelton officiating.
Mrs. Rantanen was born on Feb. 9, 1949, in Pineville, KY, the daughter of the late Lester Thomas and Maxine (Helton) Decker. She married Dale Rantanen on Feb. 14, 1969, at the Church of God Prophecy in Madison.
She was employed as a nurse for almost twenty years, serving in Litchfield, Staunton and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. She was a member of the Bethalto Church of God in Bethalto; a longtime Avon representative and a past Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She also enjoyed hunting and picking agate rock in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, camping and she was always singing.
Mrs. Rantanen is survived by her husband, Dale Rantanen of Staunton; sons, Reginald Rantanen of White Hall, Mark (Angela) Rantanen of Bluffton, SC, Daniel (Michelle) Rantanen of Staunton and Joshua (Missy) Rantanen of Staunton; eight grandchildren, Carson (Alexa), Drake, Hunter, Ethan, Claire, Isaac, Presley and Wolfgang; sisters, Jane Holcomb and Connie (Jim) Larson; brother, Joe (Jean) Decker; sister-in-law, Betty Decker; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Decker; and daughter-in-law, Mary Rantanen.
Memorials are suggested to the Bethalto Church of God in Bethalto.
