Helen Irene Miller 1914-2009

MILLER, HENRIKSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/6/2018 at 10:47:32

Mapleton Press
26 February 2009

Helen Irene Miller 1914-2009

Helen Irene Miller was born on December 7, 1914, to John Adams and Bessie Henriksen. John Adams' families were early settlers in Monona County where Helen was born, and Bessie Henriksen's family were first generation Danish immigrants. Helen joined a family of two older brothers, Arnold and Frank Adams. Her beloved, widowed grandmother, Hulda Henriksen, who had a very strong influence in Helen's life, also lived in the household.

Helen loved the outdoors and everything in nature. She loved animals, especially cats, and had many cats even as a toddler. She was an avid gardener all her life and took special care of her prized raspberries. These berries were sought by people throughout the county, where she was known as the "Raspberry Lady." She loved to fish and could out-fish her family and friends. Anything outdoors brought Helen such pleasure.

She lived her entire 94 years in Iowa. During the Great Depression, she went to nursing school in Council Bluffs. She graduated and worked for a time at the Battle Creek Hospital. It was at this hospital where she met Walter Carl Miller, a patient from Schleswig. They married and had two children, Maria D. Hughes and Jimmy H. Miller. Widowed after only 12 years of marriage, she was left to raise her children without Walter, but with the help of family and the support of the Schleswig community, Maria and Jimmy were brought up in a very positive environment.

After Walter passed away, Helen worked as a nurse at Ida Grove Hospital (later changed to Horn Memorial). She worked there until she was 70 and was respected and valued by her many colleagues throughout her many years of service to the health profession. She was known as Nurse Helen and was admired for her total patient care and compassion. She was a friend and a helping hand to everyone she met. On many occasions she was the "neighborhood nurse" and she always went to lend a hand when called.

Helen was a member of United Church of Christ for over sixty years. Retirement enabled Helen to pursue her many interests including gardening, quilting with the Dorcas Society at United Church of Christ, Bible study, traveling with family and friends, and, of course, lots of time for fishing.

The last nine and one half years of her life were spent first at Morningside Care Center in Ida Grove for five years and then Good Samaritan Home in Holstein, Iowa. The family wishes to publicly acknowledge the wonderful care and love Helen received at these two care centers.

Helen is survived by daughter Maria and her husband James, and son Jimmy and his wife Sylvia, four grandchildren, Steven and his wife Lydia, Evan and his wife Robin; Walter and his wife Maia and Brenda and her husband David.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at United Church of Christ in Schleswig, Iowa. Rev. Chris Burtnett officiated the service and graveside rites held at Morgan Cemetery in Schleswig. Inspirational selections were "In the Garden," "Whispering Hope" and "How Great Thou Art" Serving as honorary pallbearers were Steven Hughes, Evan Hughes and Brenda Miller Serving as pallbearers were Guenther Detlefsen, Keith Petersen, Leon Clausen, LaWayne Gronau. Robert Kastner and Walter Miller The family invited everyone to join them at Cheetas Restaurant for fellowship and lunch. The Huebner Funeral Home of Schleswig was in charge of arrangements.