Marburger, Helen J. 1926-2017

MARBURGER, FAULKNER, ROSS, BISHOP, RAUTH, SHAFFER, LEARY, CALDWELL, MICHIELSEN

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 7/2/2017 at 07:31:48

Helen Juanita Marburger, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 19, 2017. She was a caring and compassionate mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a true lady of the south who never was seen in anything but the finest of fashions.

Helen was born in Dierks, Arkansas on April 22, 1926 to Oliver and Lena Faulkner. In high school she was an energetic and beautiful cheerleader and after graduation she married Roy E. Ross upon his return from WWII in 1945. In 1946 she gave birth to John M. Ross (Mike) and in 1949 David R. Ross was born. The family had moved to New Boston, Texas where Roy succumbed to cancer and passed away in 1954. Helen went to work for the first time to support the family, her mother Lena and Aunt Biddle while earning $1.00/hour as a clerk typist.

In 1957 she met and married Donald Ray Marburger of Sabula, Iowa while he was in training at Red River Army Arsenal. In 1958 the new family moved to Herlong, California where Don and Helen worked at Sierra Army Depot. Their daughter Kathy was born in 1959.

In 1974, Don, Helen and Kathy moved to Sabula, Iowa where they owned several farms throughout the years. In 2013, Don and Helen moved to Reno, Nevada to be closer to their sons and grandchildren and to enjoy the weather while in full retirement.

Helen was an avid reader and follower of evangelist Billy Graham, another validation of her unwavering Christian faith. Until her last day, she wore a smile and loved her life to the fullest. She was always ready to offer help to the elderly, give a hug to anyone who needed it and offered steady, positive advice to her family. She often said, "Just because someone else treats me bad, doesn't mean I have to be bad toward them."

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Don who passed away December 30, 2016, her parents, brothers Johnny and Oliver Jr.

Helen is survived by her sister, Maxinne of Brentwood, Tenn., sons Mike (Alison) Ross, David (Peggy) Ross, daughter Kathy Bishop, all of Reno, Nv., grandchildren Ashley Rauth, Tasha Schaffer, Sean Ross, Justin Ross, Miranda Ross, Amy Leary, Tim Caldwell, sister-in-law Ruby Michielsen of Sabula and numerous grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

A celebration of life memorial will be held at the Calvary Lutheran Church, 716 Pearl Street, Sabula, Iowa on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in Sterling Cemetary in rural Miles, Iowa where Helen will be laid to rest next to her husband of sixty years, Donald. - See more at: http://obituaries.clintonherald.com/story/helen-marburger-1926-2017-937290391#sthash.0okr7uNJ.dpuf