Helen Elouise Tompkins, 06 Feb 1923 – 26 Oct 2013

TOMPKINS, MCCONNELL, EDGE, VISEK, THORIUS, MARSH, MONROE

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 11/1/2013 at 14:22:38

Helen Tompkins, 90

Private graveside service for Helen E. Tompkins, 90, Marengo, was held Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Marengo Cemetery. She died Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at Colonial Manor of Amana following an extended illness.

The Rev. Diane Miller officiated at the service.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Marengo.

Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

Helen Elouise Tompkins was born Feb. 6, 1923, in Ellston, the daughter of Hale and Lena Mae Edge McConnell. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian Church in Van Wert. She attended the Van Wert schools where she played basketball as a forward. Her stories of playing basketball on outside courts in Iowa winters delighted her children and grandchildren.

She married Raymond M. Tompkins Feb. 13, 1941, in Bethany, Mo. During World War II, she operated a small cafe in Van Wert, along with her mother and sister.

Her husband was captured at the Battle of Wake Island and held prisoner by the Japanese for three years and nine months. She did not know of his survival until later in the war when a ham radio operator heard his name listed as a prisoner and notified her by post card.

On the day World War II ended, she and her sister and mother closed the cafe. She laughingly said she never wanted to “fry another chicken.” She often said she never gave up hope for Ray’s return and that resiliency of spirit characterized her life. When he returned, they dedicated their lives to their children, family and church.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Marengo American Legion Auxiliary. For many years she attended meetings of the American Ex-Prisoner of War.

She enjoyed quilting and needlework and donated many of her works to church bazaars. She enjoyed golf, traveling and was an avid gardener, “canner” and cook. Her life was devoted to the love of her life, Raymond, and to her children and grandchildren. She was fiercely loyal and a strong woman of faith.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Meadowview Memory Care in Cedar Rapids, Colonial Manor Nursing Home, Amana, and Essence of Life Hospice for their tender and loving care of Helen.

Tompkins is survived by one son, Martin D. Tompkins, Cedar Rapids, and special friend Karen Visek; one daughter, Maeleen V. (Jerry) Thorius, Amana; four grandchildren, Doug (Karen) Tompkins, Wichita, Kan.; Deborah Tompkins, Cedar Rapids; Lara (Andrew) Marsh, Iowa City, and John (Kathleen) Thorius, Indianapolis, Ind., and six grandchildren, Zachary Tompkins, Peter Tompkins, Alexandra Marsh, Rachel Marsh and Michael Monroe and Mae Thorius.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Raymond, March 11, 2007; her parents; one brother, Van; one sister, Marcia; a grandson, Michael Tompkins; a daughter-in-law, Judy Tompkins, and a brother-in-law, Richard Tompkins.

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune Iowa County Obituaries, 31 Oct 2013, pg 8
Published Oct. 28, 2013 in The Gazette