West, Caryl J. (1936 – 2008)

WEST, HEILESEN, DYER, POWERS, PLUMB, BERG, SORENSON

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/19/2013 at 19:25:58

Name of deceased: Caryl Janice West (nee Heilesen)

Aged: 71 yrs, 8 mo

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: June 3, 1936, Harlan, IA

Died: Feb. 3, 2008, at Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, IA

Funeral services: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, with Pastor Walter Bowen and Pastor Donna Ewert officiated. Burial at the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Children, Jennifer (spouse, Peter) Dyer of Hoffman Estates, IL, Janice (spouse, Bob) Powers of Poquoson, VA, and James West (spouse, Deb) of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Matt, Ben, Allison, Lauren, Jacob, and Hunter; brother, Frank Heilesen of Santa Rosa, CA; sister, Evelyn Plumb of Leawood, KS; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Frank and Mabel (nee Berg) Heilesen; husband of 50 years, Gene (deceased Sep. 18, 2005); daughter, Julie; brothers, Richard and Donald Heilesen; sister, Bette Sorenson

Education: attended country school until the eighth grade when the family moved into Harlan, IA. She graduated from Harlan High School with the Class of 1954 and was very active in the music department.

Religious affiliation: Member, Bethel Baptist Church and the United Methodist Church, in Harlan, IA. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women’s Circle and participated in many church activities.
Military service: n/a

Marriage: Lugene H. “Gene” West; March 12, 1955; no location provided

Employment: After graduation, she worked at several businesses in Harlan, IA, including the Harlan Chamber of Commerce and the Shelby County Bank.

Hobbies/Interests: Gene and Caryl loved to travel and visit their children. They visited all 50 states, including a drive from coast-to-coast. Before Gene’s death in 2005, she accompanied him to many Corvette restoration events, athletic events, and participated in outdoor activities like snow skiing, gardening, and fishing. Caryl belonged to the Literary Club and loved to play bridge with her friends. For her own enjoyment ,Caryl kept journals, wrote stories and poems. Caryl was a member of the Rainbow for Girls. For many years, Caryl volunteered at the Elm Crest Retirement Home, serving as president and as organizer for the soup and pie supper. Caryl was known for her selflessness and she lived her life caring about other people, as evidenced by her involvement with numerous volunteer activites in the community.

Sources: ancestry.com, pauleyjones.com