Carris, Helen C. (1911-2005)

CARRIS, CLOUSS, HEUN, LANCASTER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 11/1/2014 at 15:49:03

Helen C. Carris
June 27, 1911 - March 3, 2005

Helen C. Lancaster Carris, age 93, of Sioux Rapids, died on Thursday, March 3, 2005, at the Sioux Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

Helen Cecelia Clouss was born on June 27, 1911, in Clare to Hiriam Waldo and Gertrude Mary (Heun) Clouss. She lived with her family in the Clare and Manson areas.

Helen married Homer Lancaster. They were blessed with a son, Charles Gerald Lancaster. She later married Harvey Carris in Sioux Rapids. To this union, Helen gained two step-sons: Barr T. Carris and Colin Timothy Carris.

As a young married woman, Helen taught in several one room school houses around Iowa. About 1940, she moved to Sioux Rapids where she resided for the next sixty-five years. She fell in love with the big white corner house on Third Street, bought it, and lived there almost fifty-five years before she had to give it up. After joining their families, she and her second husband, Harvey, raised their boys in that house.

A respected member of the business community, whether as a business owner or as an employee, Helen always did more than anyone expected of her. Before owning and operating Helen's Café, she worked as a waitress. She also worked at Burr's Clothing Store as well as at various other businesses before she retired. An active member in the community throughout her entire life, she attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church and was a dedicated member of the BPW Club and the Senior Citizens.

Helen will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a hardworking, loyal, and honorable woman. Her drive and determination carried her and her family through many of life’s ups and downs. Moreover, her personal values and work ethic influenced everyone who knew her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Charles G. Lancaster, and his wife, Glenda, of Rushmore, Minnesota; her step-son, Barr T. Carris, and his wife, Joan, of Beaufort, North Carolina; her grandchildren: Carla, Connie, Kelly, Debbie, Pam, Judy, Kevin, Jody, Mindy, Leigh Ann, Bradley, Todd, and Mark; twenty-seven great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; a brother, Charles, and a sister, Mary, both of Boise, Idaho; as well as a host of other family members and friends.

Those preceding Helen in death include her parents; two brothers, Joseph and Edward; one sister, Evelyn; a step-son, Colin Timothy; and her husband, Harvey Carris.

Funeral services for Helen Carris were held on Monday, March 7, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids with Reverend John Cain officiating. Burial will be in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids. Arrangements were under the direction of the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids.

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