Ihry, Helen I. (1933-2015)

IHRY, STEWART, LAUGHLIN, WILLIAMS, ALGER, CLEVELAND, CARR

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/11/2015 at 14:07:02

Helen I. Ihry
March 18, 1933 - September 20, 2015

Helen I. Ihry, age 82, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died on Sunday, September 20, 2015, at the Hawkeye Care Center in Sioux Rapids.

Helen Irene Stewart, a daughter of Charles and Marie (Laughlin) Stewart, was born in Ruthven, Iowa, on March 18, 1933. She lived her youth and received her education in Ruthven, graduating from Ruthven High School in 1950 as the valedictorian of her class.

On August 30, 1952, Helen married Merle “Nick” Ihry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven. This union was blessed with four children: Michael, Timothy, Robert, and Denise.

Following their wedding, they lived near Spencer while Nick worked on a farm. Next, they moved to a place near Ruthven where Nick worked with his father-in-law, Charlie Stewart, in a blacksmith shop. In 1965, Helen and Nick moved to Sioux Rapids. There, Helen worked at the State of Iowa Liquor Store. In December of 1988, she bought the Valley Liquor Store in Sioux Rapids and also worked part time at “The Office.” A very devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, she sought to provide her family with a comfortable home as well.

Helen was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids and of St. Joseph’s Guild. She will be remembered as an avid quilter who received the Presidential Quilting Award for her work with the Freedom Quilts. Also an accomplished seamstress, Helen did sewing and mending for many people in the community. In addition, she enjoyed plants and crafts. Moreover, her friends will remember her as a skilled card player who enjoyed telling stories and jokes.

Helen’s life is honored and cherished by her family which includes her children: Mike (Janice) Ihry, of Everett, Washington, Tim Ihry, of Albert City, Iowa, Bob (Laurie) Ihry, of Clive, Iowa, and Denise Williams, and her special friend, Brian, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; her grandchildren: John Ihry, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Joe (Patrice) Ihry, of Bruceville, Texas, Eric Ihry, of Waco, Texas, Angie Williams, of Huxley, Iowa, and Melanie Williams, of Webb, Iowa; two great grandchildren: Joey and Jordyn Ihry; her sister, Pat Alger, of Ruthven, Iowa; her sister-in-law, Florence Ihry, of Royal, Iowa; and her brother-in-law, Travis (Becky) Cleveland, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nick, on March 8, 1993; her sister, JoAnn Cleveland; an infant sister, Mary Ellen Stewart; a nephew, Thane Cleveland; and a step-grandson, Mitchell Carr.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place Wednesday, September 23, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2015, Sliefert Funeral Homes

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