Helen Lefstad, 18 Jan. 1912 - 13 Feb. 2006

LEFSTAD, AHRENS, WETJEN

Posted By: Netha M Meyer (email)
Date: 2/17/2006 at 08:37:14

Helen D. Lefstad, 94, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2006, in the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness. Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Trinity Lutheran Church, by the Rev. Clarke Frederick and Vicar Dan Lepley. Burial: Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 4 to 7 p.m. today.
Helen was born Jan. 18, 1912, in Conroy, Iowa, to Frank F. and Sophie (Wetjen) Ahrens. She graduated from Conroy High School. On June 7, 1939, she married Max E. Lefstad at Conroy, Iowa. For 15 years, the couple lived in Wisconsin Rapids, where she worked at JC Penney Co. prior to moving to Vinton in 1955. Max and Helen owned and operated the A & W Drive-In for 12 years and the Davis Paint Store in Vinton. Max preceded Helen in death in 1989.

A longtime active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Helen enjoyed membership in the Mission Circle and Mary & Martha organizations of her congregation. She was also a longtime volunteer with the Vinton Lutheran Home Auxiliary.

Over the years she had enjoyed gardening and her greatest joy came from being a grandma.

She is survived by her son, Barry and wife Nancy of Vinton; her daughter, Caryl Lloyd and husband Craig of Columbus, Ga.; her grandchildren, John Lloyd of Seattle, Wash., and Erika and Brian Lefstad of Vinton; and her brother, Elmer Ahrens and wife Maxine of Conroy.

In addition to her husband, Max; she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harold, Frank, Carl and Alfred Ahrens; an infant brother; and her sisters, Henreitta and Marie.

A memorial fund has been established for Trinity Lutheran Church, The Vinton Lutheran Home or a charity of the donor's choice.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, 15 February 2006, Edition: F, Page: 5B Record Number: 2010624