Helen Louise Spencer Stroback (95), of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2026.
Born on July 4, 1931, Helen was the daughter of the late John B. Spencer, Sr. and Alice Jane Hodge. She was born in St. Louis and spent much of her childhood on the family farm in Spring Creek, Missouri. Her family returned to St. Louis during WWII, and she graduated from Beaumont High School in 1949.
Helen worked at The Sporting News for several years and loved to reminisce about the famous baseball players she met during this time, including Stan Musial. Her marriage to Gilbert Richard Stroback on April 21, 1952, endured for over 68 years until his death in 2020.
Of their three children, Helen was preceded in death by her cherished son, Mark Richard Stroback, and her daughter-in-law, Julie Stroback. Her legacy lives on through her surviving children, son Scott G. Stroback of Coralville, Iowa, and daughter Tracy L. Woodward (husband Kelly) of Park City, Utah.
Throughout life, Helen found great peace spending countless hours in her garden and reading. Time spent with family and friends was her greatest joy. She relished the time spent with her granddaughters, Megan and Christina Stroback, and Katie and Sarah Woodward, as well as her niece, Marcia Ollinger.
Living in her home for over 60 years meant her neighbors became family. She was immensely blessed by the lifelong love and friendship of Bob and Joann Jackson; Neal and Sue Bockwoldt and their daughters, Katie and Laura, who were like granddaughters to Helen; and Tom and Joann Turner. True to her July 4th birthday, Helen was an absolute firecracker and will be deeply missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 23rd at Christ Community Lutheran Church, #1 Christchurch Way, Columbia, IL 62236. Visitation 10:00 – 11:30 Service at 11:30. Interment immediately following at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.