Helen Annetta [Dale] Deemer 1920-2011

DALE, DEEMER, SCHOONOVER, OPFER, MOMENI, RIPPEY, WEHRLE, KELLER, MESSINA, NEAL, INGRAM, BENNETT

Posted By: Curtis (email)
Date: 4/22/2011 at 22:56:15

DEATH NOTICE:

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa April 13, 2011)

DEEMER, HELEN DALE, 91, of Lamoni, Iowa, died on Friday, April 8, 2011, at the Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lamoni. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa with Rev. Max Carmichael officiating. Burial will be in the New Salem Cemetery, south of Leon, Iowa. Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church of Leon or the Miracle Hill Children's Home.

Obituary -

(The Leon Journal-Reporter Leon, Iowa April 13, 2011)

HELEN DALE DEEMER ... Helen Annetta Dale Deemer was born January 21, 1920 near Pleasanton, Iowa to Virginia Schoonover Dale and Chester E. Dale. Se departed to be with the Lord on April 8, 2011 at the age of 91 years.

Helen grew up and attended country school around New Salem Church. She graduated from Leon high School in the Class of 1937.

After high school Helen received her teaching certificate and taught in several rural schools in the Pleasanton / New Salem area.

Helen was united in marriage to Ralph William Deemer on April 13, 1940. Helen and Ralph were blessed with one son, Ronald Ralph. Helen and Ralph were married 56 years. They farmed in the Hamilton and Woodland Townships. Helen later worked for O'Bryan Brothers sewing.

Helen accepted the Lord as her Savior at a young age. Together Helen and Ralph served the Lord in many ways at New Salem prior to Ralph being called into the ministry. In 1973 they moved to Miracle Hill Children's Home, South Carolina to work as house parents. They were lovingly known as "Mama & Papa Deemer." Upon return to Leon in 1982, they served together at Calvary Baptist Church until Ralph's death and Helen's health failed.

Helen loved children. Whether it was Vacation Bible School or Sunday School, baby sitting kids, or playing with her grand kids and great grand kids - children always made her smile.

Helen was well cared for the last 6 years by the staff of Terrace Park and Lamoni Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She is survived by son Ron Deemer and wife Lucille; Christine Opfer and and husband Larry and Eva, Elissa, and Ethan Opfer; David Deemer, Lisa Deemer, and Brooke, Kip, and Jeremy Deemer; Moji Momeni; brothers Barrett Lee Dale and Orville Dale and wife Ruth; brothers-in-law Robert Rippey and Harold Deemer and wife Esta; sisters-in-law Helen Wehrle, Rosalie Keller, Wilma Messina, Vera Deemer, and Dorothy Neal; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends.

Helen was preceded in death by husband Ralph Deemer; brother Joe Dale and wife Glada; sister Thelma Rippey; sister-in-law Mary Dale; brothers-in-law Frank Deemer, Wayne Deemer, Albert Deemer and wife Eva, Lester Deemer and wife Wilma. Bob Wehrle, Joe Messina, and Jack Keller; and sisters-in-law Irene Ingram and husband Wes and Maude Bennett and husband Jesse.