George, Helen Jane 1894-1980

GEORGE, FARLEY, COUTTS, OETJEN, WESTPHAL, JOHNSON, NORTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/15/2010 at 08:28:31

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) March 13, 1980

SERVICE HERE FOR MRS. GEORGE

Helen Jane George, daughter of Robert G. and Alvaretta Farley Coutts, died Friday evening, March 6, at St. John's Lutheran Home in Albert Lea, Minn., at the age of 86.

The Coutts family was prominent in building construction and real estate developement in early Grinnell.

Funeral services for Helen J. George were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Grinnell United Methodist Church, with the Rev. James P. Russell officiating.

Music was provided by Mrs. Barbara Lein, organist, and Mrs. Sherry Bauer, soloist.

Pallbearers were Everett C. Armstrong, Boyd Locker, James McNally, Ned Postels,and Max A. Smith. Burial was at Hazelwood Cemetery.

Born in the home her father built at 1202 Hamilton Ave. on Feb. 10, 1894, she received her education in the Grinnell schools, graduating from Grinnell High School and later, with the class of 1916 from Grinnell College.

She taught for a few years in Kellogg and Madrid, Iowa.

She married Russell Clarence George during World War I at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on July 17, 1917. The couple lived for a time in Deming, N.M., while her husband served in the Army, and returned to Grinnell following his discharge.

She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, which her father's construction company built, the Women's Society of Christian Service, and other committees of the church. She also served as first president of the Friends of Stewart Library and was a charter member of Pi Rho Lambda club, and a member of Beulah Chapter #47 of the Order of Eastern Star, the Drummond Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. George (Winifred) Oetjen of Albert Lea, Mrs. Dorothy Westphal of Chicago, and Mrs. Richard (Mary Jane) Johnson of North Oaks, Minn.; a sister, Mrs. Grace Norton of Brunswick, Ga.; ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1964; her father and mother; four brothers, Ross V., Harry B., Dwight, and Ray C. Coutts; and one sister, Hazel R. Coutts.

Should friends desire, memorials can be made to the Stewart Library or the Grinnell United Methodist Church, and left at the Smith Funeral Home.