Helen Ko of Northbrook, Illinois passed away on May 21, 2026, at the age of 88.  She was born on New Year’s Day in Oxford, Iowa, in 1938 to William and Margaret (Jennings) Bushman.  She spent her childhood in Cedar Rapids with her five sisters: Agnes Marie, Ann, Mary Jeanne, Marita, Phyllis, and her brother William (Bill). 

From an early age, Helen dreamed of being a nurse.  She received her associate degree from Mt. Mercy College of Nursing and moved to Chicago to work as a nurse.  Helen was a skilled seamstress whose creations were beautiful and exacting, and ranged from dresses for her daughters to overalls for her grandchildren, and tailor-made curtains.  Her skill was extraordinary, and she was nothing if not a perfectionist.  She was also a talented baker and best known for her homemade cheesecake, banana bread, and toffee bars. 

Helen’s life was defined by her faith.  As a devout Catholic, she centered herself around prayer and contemplation, the Bible and celebration of mass.  She believed deeply and felt that God had cared and provided for her throughout her life.

Helen is survived by her four daughters: Sandi (Rob) Livergood, Shari (Brian) McAdams, Sue (Dave) Scheibel and Stacy Ko; her ten grandchildren Rob (Christine) Livergood, Jacob (Jennifer) Livergood, Sarah (Mike) Livergood-Contreras, Nic (Marisse) McAdams, Nate (Mila) McAdams, Anna Scheibel, Lexi Scheibel, Drew Scheibel, Caleb Sondag and Jade Sondag; twelve great grandchildren and step-grandchildren; her sisters Marita (Gilbert) Lawrence and Phyllis (Rick) Jennings, as well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass will be May 29, 2026, at 12:30pm at St. Norbert Church, located at 1809 Walters Avenue Northbrook, IL.  Visitation will be from 12:00-12:30pm immediately preceding the mass.  Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines. Burial in Section 33, Block 188, Lot 12, Grave 8.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Archdiocese of Chicago https://give.archchicago.org/site/SPageNavigator/gtog_giving_2024.html or the American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift

Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com