Valvoda, Helen Rose (Drilling) 1926 - 2015

VALVODA, DRILLING, KAPLER, HURST, RYAN, SWANSON, MCGUIGAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/25/2015 at 09:02:35

Helen R. Valvoda, 89, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Friday morning, April 17, 2015 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Paul C. McManus & Deacon Jim Patera officiating. Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein. C.D.A. Rosary: 4:30 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Scripture Service: 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Helen Rose Drilling was born on February 19, 1926 in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Nick & Teresa (Kapler) Drilling. She graduated from Cresco High School in the Class of 1944. Helen played in a band called “ The Melody Ramblers.” She was a great musician and played the organ, mandolin, guitar and accordion. On May 27, 1948, Helen was united in marriage to Virgil Raymond Valvoda in New Hampton, Iowa. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage together until his passing on May 11, 1990. In her earlier years, Helen had been employed as a nursing assistant at hospitals in New Hampton and Oelwein, and also at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada. In addition to working with her husband in his insurance business, she later worked as a bookkeeper for the Oelwein Gambles Store and then as a legal secretary for Attorney Darold Jack.

Helen was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she had served as a past Eucharistic Minister to the homebound. She was a member of the Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Rita #321, where she held the office of recording secretary and later became the Grand Regent of the court. Helen then joined the Iowa Past Regents Club. She was also a member of the Sacred Heart Senior Citizens Club having served as secretary and vice president. In her later years she was a volunteer at Oelwein Health Care Center. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and bird watching.

Helen was a strong woman for such a tiny person. She was very open minded; could talk to anybody; was strong in her faith and spent her life caring for EVERYONE. She will be greatly missed by all who were touched by her kindness and loved her.

Left to honor her memory are her 6 Children: Larry (Diane) Valvoda of Fairfax, Sherry (Alan) Hurst of Boone, June (William) Ryan of Alburnett, Dale (Sandra) Valvoda of Fort Dodge, Susan (David) Swanson of Rochester, Minnesota and Steven (Liza) Valvoda of Marion; 13 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren and a Sister-in-law: Gloria Drilling of New Hampton.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister: Arlene McGuigan and 5 brothers: Jerome Drilling, Hugo Drilling, Arnold Drilling, Edward Drilling and Virgil Drilling.

Source: Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home database

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