Ann (Ryan) Helmer (1859-1925)

RYAN, HELMER, SCHIFF, LEARY, HART, BEACON

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Mrs. E.L. Helmer Dies at her Home in Sanborn

End comes as a Result of Paralytic Stroke -- a Sanborn Resident for Forty Years

Sorrow has come to Sanborn by the passing of a well beloved friend, Ann Ryan Helmer. While her death was neither unexpected nor sudden, it will nevertheless sadden the hearts of a multitude in the community.

Mrs. Helmer was a patient sufferer for several months prior to her death, as on February 21 she suffered a paralytic stroke which finally resulted in her death. She had passed the noontide of life, yes, life's day had glided gently into a peaceful evening of quiet and content with plans complete -- the day well rounded out. Few women over the country own the capacity for friendship that Mrs. Helmer had. Few women in Sanborn are so widely known as was she. Her popularity was based on solid qualities -- qualities which drew her friends close to her. Her loyalty to her old friendship, and her old relations in life, as was revealed on occasion, was beautiful and inspiring. She never forgot. The quality of tenderness was shown in the mother love and care she gave to her niece and nephew, Margaret Helmer Schiff and Earl Leary, with whom she shared her home after their mother had passed away.

Mrs. Helmer had a sunny temperament and she carried good cheer and optimism wherever she went. Who can estimate the heavy hearts she has lightened by the sunshine reflected from her smiling countenance?

She was much governed by sentiment and her heart ached often in unison with the heartache of others. She sought to be a useful and helpful woman. She leaves behind her a long record of good and kindly deeds.

Mrs. Anna Ryan Helmer was born at Trenton, New Jersey, April 9, 1859, and died at her home in Sanborn, Iowa, July 23, 1925, at the age of 66 years, 3 months and 14 days. When 3 years of age, she came with her parents to Langworthy Iowa, where she lived until June 10, 1875, when she was united in marriage to Edwin L. Helmer.

For ten years they resided on a farm in Jones county, Iowa, and in 1885 they moved to Sanborn. To this union, six children were born, five of them dying in infancy, and the one son, surviving, James Helmer, now of Chester, South Dakota. Besides her husband and son she leaves two sisters: Mrs Charles Hart, of Sanborn, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Beacon of Portage, Wisconsin, and one brother, Pat Ryan of Marion, Iowa, to mourn her death.

A requiem high mass was held Saturday morning at St. Cecilia's Catholic church, of which she was a member for many years. The services were conducted by Rev. J.J Dalhoff, and a wonderfully impressive sermon was delivered by Rev. C.P. Conway of Estherville, Iowa, who came to pay the last tribute to an old friend.

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to her loving husband, the comrade of so many years, to the niece who cared for her so devotedly, and to whose who are nearest and dearest to her and who sorrow most.

We hope that they will find comfort in the lovely memory she has left.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, 29 Jul 1925, p1