FRYE, Helen Annette (Matthews) 1922-2014

MATTHEWS, PUTNEY, FRYE, STARK

Posted By: COUNTY COORDINATOR
Date: 1/22/2014 at 13:47:26

CHARLES CITY, IOWA - Helen M. Frye, 91, of Charles City, died Monday, January 20, 2014, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services for Helen Frye will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014, at First Congregational Church in Charles City. Pastor Forrest Cornelius will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date in Riverside Cemetery at Charles City.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Helen Annette Matthews was born July 21, 1922, in Nashua, the daughter of J.J. and Edith (Putney) Matthews. Helen moved to Strawberry Point when she was in the second grade. She graduated from Strawberry Point High School in 1939. Helen attended Grinnell College for four years graduating in 1943. At the urging of her father, she enlisted in the division of the U.S. Navy called W.A.V.E.S. (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) and taught gunnery during World War II. This was a very positive experience and she had many lifelong W.A.V.E.S. friends. After her Navy service, she attended the University of Iowa and earned a Masters of Education. She taught school in Newton, Clinton and Charles City, Iowa. Helen also taught at Charles City College.

Helen married Jack W. Frye in Strawberry Point, on June 18, 1949. They were married for 64 years. The union has been blessed with two children: William M. Frye and Barbara J. Frye.

Helen was an active community member and was a member of the First Congregational Church and PEO- Chapter JQ. She was a member of Red Hats. She also was active in the YWCA and YMCA. Helen taught swimming at the “Y” for many years and a lot of children who grew up in Charles City had her as their instructor. Helen was active in Girl Scouts and for a number of years she helped run the day camp at Camp Christie.

Living family members include her husband of 64 years, Jack of Charles City; children: William (Carol) Frye of Charles City and Barbara Frye (Harlan Pelz) of Castle Rock, Colorado; grandchildren: Julia (Babafemi) Odugbesan, Abigail Frye and Helen “Ara” Araminta Vogt; one great-grandchild, Omolola Odugbesan; a step-grandchild, Ben Vogt; along with other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and only sibling, Harriet Stark.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to First Congregational Church, The Family YMCA or a charity of your choice.

The Hauser Funeral Home, 641-228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, Jan. 22, 2014