Helen Gertrude Fegan (1974)

FEGAN, BUNNELL, RENSHAW, GREWELL, DWIGANS, LESH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 1/28/2007 at 08:26:28

Earlham Library Collection
Earlham Echo - February 1974
Earlham, Iowa

Helen Gertrude Bunnell, daughter of John Clayton Bunnell and Edith Emily Renshaw, was born in Madison county, Iowa, on September 9, 1904 and passed away at Northwest Community hospital in Des Moines on February 12, 1974 at the age of 69 years and 5 months.

She graduated from Earlham high school in 1921 and then attended Iowa State College at Ames.

Helen was united in marriage to Dr. Dean M. Grewell in 1923. A daughter Betty Rae and a son Dean Richard, Jr. were born.

On March 9, 1939 she was married to C. B. (Bud) Fegan. One daughter, Jean Eleanor, was born.

After living on several farms around Earlham and Penn Center, they moved back to the Bunnell family farm in 1947. They lived here until Bud's death in the fall of 1972. Due to failing health in 1973, Helen spent much of her last year with her children.

Helen was a member of the Earlham United Methodist church and was active in the Women's Society. The Earlham Garden Club was one of her special interests and she participated in many of their flower shows and other activities. She was recently honored with a life membership in the club. She also had been a member of the Eastern Star.

Helen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; she liked to travel, she enjoyed working with her flowers and garden, and had many interesting hobbies.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her three children: Dean Grewell of Des Moines, Mrs. Joe (Betty Rae) Dwigans of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jean Fegan of Des Moines.

Seven grandchildren survive: Rick, Larry and Patty Grewell of Des Moines, Dean and Cindy Dwigans of Kansas City, Missouri; JoAnn Lesh of Juneau, Alaska, and Cathy Dwigans of Baldwin, Kansas.

Preceding Helen in death were her parents, one grandson, her only brother Howard, and her husband.

(Burial was in the Earlham cemetery)