Blake, Helen Jean (Winn) 1930-2003

BLAKE, WINN, WOODY, CONNELLY, VAN DYKE, GIBBS, PRANGLER, HADLEY

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 10/31/2003 at 22:19:23

Helen Jean Winn Blake
October 27, 2003

Helen Jean (Winn) Blake, age 73, of Ollie entered into eternity with Jesus Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at 9:35 p.m. at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Helen was born June 30, 1930, at home in Taintor, Iowa, to parents Afton James Winn and Zola Irene (Woody) Winn.

In 1933, she moved to Ollie where she lived the rest of her 73 years. On March 4, 1950, she was united in marriage to Bill L. Blake at the Ollie Methodist Church.

She was a graduate of Ollie High School and Parsons College. She taught in a one-room rural school from 1948-1952 and retired from Pekin Community Schools hot lunch program in 1992.

She is survived by her husband; four children, Nancy Connelly and husband Steve of Ollie, Cindy Van Dyke and husband Gary of Ollie, Bill J. Blake and wife Jean of Oskaloosa, and Kelly Gibbs and husband Kendall of Ottumwa; six grandchildren, Jamie Prangler and husband Tim of Indianola, Stevie Connelly of Richland, Bethany Hadley and husband Tim of Fairfield, Billy R. Blake, Kurtis and Kelsey Gibbs; two great-grandchildren, T.J. and Ryan Prangler; three brothers, Lyle, Norman and Roger Winn; many nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Merlin Winn.

As her wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ollie Baptist Church in her memory.

Following cremation and burial, a memorial service will be held at the Ollie Baptist Church on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2003