Helen Louise Smith (1922-2020)

SMITH, FRIEND

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/20/2020 at 13:11:24

Helen Smith, 98, of Morley, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020 at the Hallmark Care Center in Mt. Vernon.

Funeral Service was held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020 at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, Rev. Jennifer Zoller officiated. The family greeted friends from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.

Burial was held in Green Center Cemetery, Morley.

Helen Louise Friend was born Feb. 12, 1922 in Sandoval, Ill., the daughter of Lewis and Esther (Nowka) Friend. She attended schools in and around Mulkeytown, Ill. and graduated from Christopher High School, Christopher, Ill. in 1939. She then earned her Bachelors’ of Science degree in 1943 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Helen then graduated from the University of Illinois in 1944 with her Masters’ degree in Mathematics.

Helen taught various high school subjects in Highland, Ill., Moline, Ill., Mechanicsville, Morley, among others. From 1946 to 1949 she taught mathematics at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. She was elected to membership in the Iowa Academy of Science in 1947.

She married Richard Cole Smith on June 24, 1951 at the First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids. Together they farmed north of Morley. Raised in the Christian church, she was a longtime member of the Morley Faith United Methodist Church and later the Olin Community United Methodist church. She was deeply involved in the Sunday School program at the church, teaching classes for many years. Helen was active in various Morley Community Women’s groups and other local organizations.

She is survived by her sons Greg Smith of Columbus, Neb. and Scott Smith of rural Anamosa, a sister Marianne Holdman of Fairfield Bay, Ariz. and a sister-in-law Patricia Friend of Royalton, Ill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard in 2005, her brother Lloyd and sister and brother in law Reba and Harley Teel.

By visiting Goettschonline.com you may share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family.