Dixon, Mary Helen (Ellison) (1924 - 2012)

DIXON, ELLISON, MONOHAN, SCHUMACHER, DEARDORFF, JEFFERS, FOLEY, DALLEN, MANTSCH, COMMARADO, LOWDER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 3/12/2012 at 22:52:06

Submitted by Marthann Kohl, posted by permission

Dixon, Mary Helen (Monahan) Ellison - - October 2, 1924 - March 8, 2012

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Source: Published in The Daily Nonpareil on March 11, 2012

Mary Helen Ellison Dixon, age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 8, 2012, in Richardson, Texas.

Helen was born October 2, 1924, in Portsmouth, Iowa, to the late Patrick and Irene (Schumacher) Monahan and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Portsmouth, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa and was united in marriage to Harley Ellison in 1942. Four children were born to this union, Carol, Kathleen, Richard and Patty. Harley passed away on August 24, 1961, after undergoing open heart surgery.

Helen worked for over 30 years at World Insurance in Omaha, Neb., as a Claim Auditor and was a longtime member of St. Peters Church. Her memberships included Catholic Daughters of America, St. Ann's Altar and Rosary Society and was a longtime supporter of St. Albert Schools. On May 31, 1974, Helen married Robert Dixon and spent 26 years together before his passing in 2000.

Following Bob's death, Helen went to live with her daughter, Kathleen and her husband, Merle Deardorff, in Plano, Texas, so she could be closer to her children and their families.

Survivors include her children, Carol Jeffers and husband, Jack, of Garland, Texas, Kathy Ellison and husband, Merle Deardorff, of Murphy, Texas, Rick Ellison and wife, Caryn, of Boulder, Colorado, Patty Foley and Greg Dallen, of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Lynette Jeffers Mantsch, Rodney and Rhonda Jeffers, Scott and Darlene Ellison, Chris Commarado, Brett Foley, all of Texas, Kaitlyn Ellison, of San Francisco, and Taylor Ellison, of Boulder, Colorado; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Monahan Lowder, of Des Moines, Iowa.

Helen's great loves were her unshakeable faith in God, family and friends. She was a social person who loved to play cards, dance and keeping in touch with her home town friends. After moving to Texas, she made frequent visits to the Council Bluffs and Omaha area to see family and friends.

Rosary recitation for Helen will be Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by visitation until 8 p.m. at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 10 a.m., St. Peter's Church. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, followed by a luncheon back at Chuck Kottas Hall at St. Peters. Memorials to St. Albert Schools.

Helen would want to thank her children and their spouses who cared for her throughout her life and especially during the later phase of her life. At this time, she is busy bragging in Heaven about her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, using her favorite phrase, "If you know what I mean." After all, they are the greatest.

Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home and Crematory
545 Willow Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-7779