Mary Kathryn Helscher

HELSCHER, BALL, STEINKE, ALLENSWORTH, JOHNSON

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 10/20/2011 at 13:13:58

Mary Kathryn "Kay" Helscher, age 90, of Iowa City, formerly of Keota, died Sunday, October 16, 2011, at the Washington County Hospital.

Kay was born January 9, 1921, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Charles and Roslyn (Steinke) Ball. Her family moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1923 and she graduated from High School there in 1938. Kay then graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids in 1943 and taught music in Keota for one year. On December 18, 1943, she married John Robert Helscher in Keota. The couple made their home in Keota, and Kay taught elementary music at Eddyville from 1965 until 1975. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and Chapter CM P.E.O. Kay enjoyed many summers swimming and kayaking with her family at the family property on Ten Mile Lake in Minnesota. She also enjoyed her winter home in Mission, Texas.

Survivors include three sons: Karl F. "Rick" (Judy) Helscher of Puyallup, Washington, Charles (Dawn) Helscher of Keota and Stephen (Barbara) Helscher of Columbus Junction; six grandchildren: Angela (Nick) Brainard, Leslie (Jake) Olson, Joshua (Michelle) Helscher, Jillian (Jeremy) Beukema, Jacque (Joshua) Strong and Jonathon Helscher and four great-grandchildren: Kayla and Natalie Olson and Matthew and Kenadee Helscher. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: J.R. in 1993 and two sisters: Eloise Allensworth and Zelda Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, with Rev. Dennis Hopes officiating. Burial will be at Keota Cemetery. Visitation was from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established for the United Church of Faith, Ten Mile Lake Association or the Keota Community School Foundation. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Kay and her family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.