Helen M. Gesse, 92, of Kouts, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the VNA Horton Hospice Center.  She was born August 10, 1919 in Kouts to Paul and Esther (Anderson) Kraker.  Helen graduated from Kouts High School in 1936.  She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kouts and was an avid quilter and accomplished seamstress.
On June 19, 1940 in Pleasant Township she married William Gesse, who survives, along with three children, Nila (Arnold) Bilstad of Deerfield, IL, Duane (Jean) Gesse of Kouts and Larry (Ruby) Gesse of Franklin, IN; one brother, Robert (Jean) Kraker of Valparaiso, three sisters, Betty (Don) Hefner of LaCrosse, Evelyn (Charles) Moya of Munster and Lois (Ken) Kasch of Valparaiso; six grandchildren, Mark (Alecia) Bilstad, Scott (Melissa) Bilstad, Erik (Angela) Bilstad, Brad (Melissa) Gesse, Rachelle (Deric) Vaught and Tyler (Sarah) Gesse; ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Kraker and one sister, Wilmagene Ailes.
Visitation will be Wednesday, 3-7 PM at Kosanke Funeral Home, 105 E. Indiana Ave., Kouts.  The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10:30 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kouts, the Rev. Robert Hauter officiating with burial to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or VNA Hospice of Porter County.