Helen E. North

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, IowaVISITATION: From 9:30 a.m. until service time Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, IowaBURIAL: Vail Cemetery, Vail, Iowa Helen Elizabeth North was born at Dexter, Iowa July 31, 1923, the daughter of Ray Fredrich and Adelaide Potter North. She was raised in Denison where she graduated from Denison High School with the class of 1941. Following high school, Helen continued her education at Van Sant Business School in Omaha, Nebraska, which later became AIB.  Helen began her professional career in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was employed in the office of Price Stabilization during World War II. While there she became involved in the USO to help the morale of service men and continued to be involved for over fifteen years. From Omaha she moved to St. Louis, Missouri working for the Federal Government in the War Department writing letters to families whose members had been killed in the war. Her government career then took her to Denver, Colorado where she worked in the Denver Regional Office of Education which administered schools at Indian Reservations and military bases. Helen then returned briefly to Denison to help at home while her mother recovered from a heart attack. Upon returning to Denver, she worked in private industry for 12 years doing secretarial work for Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation. When their offices moved to Pueblo, Helen returned to government employment spending her final time in the Denver Social Security Administration office from which she retired in 1983.Following retirement, Helen traveled extensively from Africa to Italy to Alaska as well as most places of interest in the United States. In 2004, after spending 55 years in Denver, Helen moved to Denison, Iowa, to be near her sister Phyllis, residing at the Reed House for eight yearsOver the years Helen did lots of volunteer work with the USO, and as a member of the Medical Center Auxiliary she visited in hospitals, including their TB wards, and volunteered in an orphanage. In later years, Helen chose to join the Roman Catholic Church and sang 19 years in the Basilica Immaculate Cathedral Choir, even singing for Pope John Paul when he visited America. She also was President of ESA International Business Sorority and President of Epsilon Council for the Denver Area.She was currently a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison.In April of 2012 Helen moved to the Manilla Manor in Manilla, Iowa, and it was there her death occurred Saturday afternoon, June 27, 2015. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 91 years, 10 months and 26 days.Helen was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Adelaide North, one infant brother, Paul Donald North, brother-in-law Dwain Betten, sister-in-law Lorene Petersen North, niece Jacquelyn Johnson, nephew Ray Holtorf and niece-in-law Cindy North.Those remaining to cherish her memory include her brother, Robert North of Seattle, Washington, sisters: Marjorie Betten of Johnston, Iowa, and Phyllis (Les) Lewis of Denison, Iowa; nieces and nephews: Stan Johnson and Kathy Comfort, both of Three Rivers, California, Tom (Sue) North of Kirkland, Washington, David North (Dianne Thomsen) of Lynnwood, Washington, Jerry North (DeeDee Durenne) of Bradenton, Florida, Laura (Craig) Collins of Ankeny, Iowa, John (Lisa) Holtorf of Des Moines, Iowa, Gene Jr. (Jenny) Holtorf of Solon, Iowa, Rhea Wright of Perry, Iowa, LaVon (David) Kellner of New York City, New, York, and Marie (Griff) Marks of Ingleside, Illinois; Cousins: Francis (Imogene) McGovern of Omaha, Nebraska and Kathryn Loy of Dunlap, Iowa; great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Father Paul Kelly as Celebrant. Others participating in the mass included Servers and Gift Bearers: Logan and Harrison Dahm; Lector: Dan Pfannebecker and Eucharistic Minister: Mary Ann Verbik. Music for the mass was provided by Helen’s nephew, John Holtorf, Soloist and Guitarist singing “Amazing Grace” and St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir, under the direction of Pat Menegay, singing “Be Not Afraid”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, and “Here I Am Lord” with Jean Cornelius as accompanist. Pallbearers included: Craig Collins, Steffen Holtorf, Les Lewis, Luke Holtorf, Francis McGovern and John Holtorf. Interment was at the Vail Cemetery, Vail, Iowa. A visitation was held from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the church. Immediately following the mass everyone was invited to join the family in the Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Hy-Vee Catering and St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.