Mrs. Helen L. Gibb, 91, of LaHarpe, Illinois passed away at 8:55 PM Sunday, April 20, 2014 at the LaHarpe-Davier Health Care Center.

Helen was born June 17, 1922 near Stronghurst, IL the daughter Edgar and Jessie Roberts Hartquist. On September 4, 1941 she married Fred Gibb Jr. in Independence, MO. He preceded her in death on July 13, 1993.

She was raised in the Stronghurst/Media, IL area, and graduated from the Media-Wever High School where she was Valedictorian of her class. Helen assisted her husband
in the operation of his Chevrolet dealership in LaHarpe from 1948 until 1984. She and her husband became involved in Drag Racing in 1967. They later won the 1971 AHRA Pro Stock World Championship in Fremont, CA. Following her husbands death, she traveled across the United States to attend and often times speak at car shows. She was a member of the LaHarpe Christian Church.

Mrs. Gibb is survived by two daughters, Connie Gibb of Galesburg, IL and Nancy Gibb of LaHarpe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, Myron Bud Hartquist and one infant sister.

No formal visitation is planned but friends are welcome to stop at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe anytime between 3:00 and 8:00 PM Friday, April 25, 2014. A private family service will be held later with burial in the Biggsville Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Fred & Helen Gibb Memorial Scholarship Fund, contributions may be mailed to Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 503, LaHarpe, IL 61450.