Helen Luella Aringdale

ARINGDALE, PIERCE

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 2/8/2011 at 16:52:57

Source: The Columbus Gazette.

Helen Aringdale, 87, of Columbus Junction, died Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral services were Saturday, January 22, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction. Pastor James Braden officiated. Casketbearers were John Carpenter, Dan Bausch, John Chapman, Gary Bausch, Leonard Chatfield and Sam Braden. Burial was in the Columbus City Cemetery. Following the committal services there was a time of food and fellowship held at theHope Bible Church. Visitation was held on Friday, January 21st at the funeral home from 4:00-7:00 p.m. A memorial has been established at the funeral home in Helen’s name. Online condolences may be left to Helen’s family and friends at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Helen Luella Aringdale was born April 10, 1923, at her parents’ home near Cairo, IA, rural Columbus Junction. She was the daughter of Roy and Nellie Lillian (Pierce) Aringdale. Helen attended the Cairo Evangelical Church and the Amity rural school and graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1941. From October 1942 to February 1943, she was employed at the Louisa County Rationing Office in Wapello and from February until May at Smithcraft in Columbus Junction. On November 20, 1943, Helen and her mother moved to Columbus Junction, which had since been her home. On the afternoon of February 7, 1944, she began working at the Columbus Gazette where she continued as full or part time help until January 19, 2010. From 1945 to 1950Helen was also the church typist for Rev. J. B. Pooley. She had been a part time librarian at the Columbus Junction Public Library since the spring of 1982, and on June 16, 1990 Helen was honored as the first Volunteer of the Year at the library. After moving to town, she became a member of the Columbus Junction Methodist Church and served for over 25 years as the Sunday School treasurer. On April 2, 1972, she left the Methodist Church and started attending the Independent Bible Church, and on the afternoon of December 31, 1972, Helen was baptized by immersion at the Faith Baptist Church in Iowa City by Pastor W. LaRoy Anderson and joined the membership of the Independent Bible Church that evening. She had been the Sunday school secretary there for many years, serving on various church committees and helping with church services at the nursing homes. Over the years Helen had attended 17 of the IFCA National Conventions since 1980. She was also interested in local history and genealogy, presenting historical slide programs for school children and other groups. Helen enjoyed visiting with older people and doing errands and other kindnesses for them. In 1997, she was inducted into the Iowa Newspaper Association 50-Year Member Club. She was a member of the Louisa County Historical Society, and she was also honored by the Columbus Junction community on October 10, 1998, as the Distinguished Citizen for Columbus Day. In August, 2006, she was named Iowa’s Outstanding Older Worker and represented the state in Washington, D.C.

Helen will be dearly missed by her cousin, Robert Aringdale of Burlington; and her many church and local friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her father on October 2, 1943; her mother on April 29, 1973; and her 18-day old brother, Dale LeRoy on June 14, 1918.