Lila Mae Helmke, 1913-2006

HELMKE, SIMINGTON, OCLAIR

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/21/2007 at 16:27:04

Services for Lila Mae Helmke were held Monday, January 9, 2006 at the United Methodist Church in Ruthven, Iowa. Rev. Jim Gochenouer officiated and Jan Graettinger was the organist. Casket bearers were Steve Helmke, Chuck Oppedal, Mark Hodgin, Mark O'Clair. Interment was at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Ruthven, Iowa.

Lila Mae Helmke, daughter of Dick and Hazel (Simington) O'Clair, was born December 12, 1913 on a farm north of Dickens, Iowa. She attended and graduated from country school near Dickens.

On December 20, 1934 Lila united in marriage to William August Helmke in Spencer, Iowa. To this union two sons were born. Lila and Bill farmed near Lake Center until 1951 when they moved into Ruthven.

Lila enjoyed sewing, gardening, and cooking. She was a substitue cook at the Ruthven Community School. She also cleaned the Ruthven State Bank and several houses around town for many years. Lila enjoyed watching Red Skeleton [sic], Jackie Gleason and the Price is Right. She cherished her family and the get togethers they had. She always had a family pet.

Lila died Friday, January 6, 2006 at the Ruthven Community Care Center in Ruthven, Iowa, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; sisters, Edna Halstead and Alice Mortensen, and brothers Leo O'Clair and Glen O'Clair.

She is survived by her sons, Allen and his wife, Jan, of Ruthven, IA and Eldon (Butch) and his wife, Louise (Sam) of Ruthven, IA; grandchildren, Steve and his wife, Deb, of Ruthven, IA and Sondra Green of Mankato, MN; great grandchildren, Jamie and Ty Helmke and Nick and Jennifer Chapman; a sister, Gladys (Marion) Fiesler of Langdon, IA; two sisters-in-law, Anne Helmke and Leila Helmke of Lake Wilson, MN; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Source: The Graettinger Times, Graettinger, Palo Alto County, Iowa, January 11, 2006.