SCARBOROUGH, Helen (Beem) 1918-2005
SCARBOROUGH, BEEM, MCGOVERN, OLSON, LEE
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 10/25/2014 at 23:57:36
[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Tuesday, March 15, 2005]
Celebrating the Special Life of Helen Beem Scarborough
Helen left us March 13, 2005, after several determined battles as her body began to fail her. It was only in her final days that the family learned of the cancer that had silently and quickly crept through her body to steal her away.
Helen was born August 26, 1918, in her Grandmother Beem's home in Webster City, Iowa, to Gladys (Bissell) and John Beem. She grew up a strong and determined lady who enjoyed being a friend to others. Growing up during the depression Helen knew how to stretch a dollar and get the most out of each dollar.
Helen graduated from North Side High School in Webster City in 1936; excelling in math. She received a typing award and scholarship upon graduation. In 1996 Helen attended her 60th class reunion and reminisced with dear friends.
Helen moved to Waterloo, Iowa, and took a job as the first elevator operator in the new Black's Building for Black Hawk Reality. She loved music and dancing, and it was at a USO Show at the Forum Dance Hall that she met Thomas A. Scarborough. They were married six months later on November 7, 1942, in St. Joseph, Mo., which was on the train route as they made their way to their first Army assignment in Salina, Kan.
Helen worked for Civil Service at the POW Camp in Algona, Iowa, as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk; needing an interpreter when talking with the German prisoners. Upon returning to Waterloo, Helen worked as a bookkeeper at Standard Battery & Electric and later at Hinson Mfg. In the early 1960s she worked in the laundry at McKinstry Jr. High with the special education students. Then in 1988, after 22 years as a telephone and radio dispatcher for National By-Products, Helen entered into the next phase of her life by retiring.
Her hobbies included her love of flowers (especially her roses), gardening, bird watching, collecting postcards, sewing, crocheting, and traveling. Helen was a master seamstress; she could look at a picture in a magazine and make it herself without a pattern. East High's Swing Show participants modeled her fashions for several years. In 1975 Helen took her first plane ride and the bug to travel began. Her goal was to step foot in the two oceans and the five great lakes; she completed that goal and was able to travel to all four corners of the United States and many states in between.
Helen's children and grandchildren were her greatest source of pride; she devoted herself selflessly to them. She raised her children and saw that each of them graduated from high school -- that was extremely important to her. Little did she know that she herself was the best teacher any of her children or grandchildren would have.
Helen was an active member at Linden United Methodist Church. She and her five children were all baptized together on August 26, 1961. She was also a member of the AMVETS Post 19. After her retirement Helen found great pleasure in delivering mail to Allen Hospital patients. She also volunteered herself to the training of numerous student nurses from Allen.
In 1983 Helen became a member of the international 1918 Club; a club devoted to forming friendships among those born in that year. The job of reporter for 18 years for the Iowa Chapter was a labor of love for her. The bonds of friendship she has developed through the club were priceless to her; they were her extended family.
Helen is survived by her five children, who were her pride and joy: Tom "Skip" (Dianne) of Naperville, Ill.; Barbara (Art) McGovern of Waterloo; Michael (Carla) of Parkville, Mo.; Larry of Bloomington, Minn.; and Rosemarie "Cook" (Jerry) Olson of Papillion, Neb. Her 11 grandchildren who gave her much to brag about: Dawn and Tom Jr. of Naperville, Ill.; Jason McGovern of Chicago, Ill.; Nick McGovern and Carrayn Gossman of Waterloo; Larry Jr. of Iowa City; Levi of Banning, Calif.; Kristen Olson of Lincoln, Neb.; and Angie, Sean and Colleen of Parkville, Mo.; and two adorable great-granddaughters, Teagan and Calaney Bell of Waterloo.
Helen was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents; her two brothers, Robert Beem and Richard Odor; her sister, Laurdell Lee; and two stillborn sisters.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Allen Hospital, Allen Home Health Care, and Windsor Care Center for their support and tender care of Helen. We also thank the member of her church for bringing her communion, their visits and prayers.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. March 15, 2005, at the Kearns Huisman-Schumacher Chapel at 3146 Kimball Ave. Services will be held at Linden United Methodist Church, 301 Butler St., on March 16, 2005, at 11 a.m. with interment in Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Helen's name be made to Allen Foundation's Golden Care, her church or to the family.
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Photo is the property of C. Olson
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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