Vera Berneda (Helland) Mayo (1816-1940)

HELLAND, MAYO, ELLINGSON, BRUE, MANNES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal May 18 1940 (page 4)

Mrs. Vera Mayo, Former Nevada Woman Buried at McCallburg

Special to the Journal.
McCallsburg, May 18--The funeral of Vera Helland Mayo took place Wednesday, May 15. There was a brief prayer service at the Morfoot mortuary in Nevada, led by Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy.

The main services were held at the Bethany Lutheran church in McCallsburg, with Rev. H. N. Bakka in charge, assisted by Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy. After a hymn by the audience Rev. Jos. Kennedy read the 27th Psalm and offered prayer, after which he read and offered prayer, after which he read the obituary. This was followed by the announcement of various gifts for missions, in memory of Mrs Mayo. Mrs. Ray Skartvedt and Mrs. O. S. Ritland then sang a duet, "When They Rig the Golden Bells," accompanied at the piano by Mrs. John Helland. Rev. Kennedy and Rev. H. N. Bakka then spoke briefly, after which a duet "Gathering Home," was sung by the same ladies. The floral offerings were very beautiful, and the audience taxed the capacity of the church. The remains were laid to rest in the Warren township cemetery.

The pall bearers were Raymond Skartvedt Lowell Ellingson Irvin Imsland, Calvin Voogd, Lloyd Sloan and Clarion Sampson. The first three are confirmation mates.

Vera Berneda Helland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Helland, was born on a farm near McCallsburg on December 15, 1916. She was the eighth child in a family of ten children, having three sisters and two brothers older than she, and two brothers who were younger.

Her family home has always been the home where she was born, and her entire life has been lived in Story county. With her family she attended the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran church in McCallsburg, where she learned the essentials of Christian faith and received confirmation on June 7, 1931. During her final illness she found much comfort in her Christian faith.

Her schooling was completed in the McCallsburg school where she graduated from high school class of 1935. Following her graduation she found employment in Nevada. Here she made many friends and among them, one who was to mean great deal to her. She met Elmore Mayo through mutual friends and later was married to him. Their marriage took place at Nevada on December 15, 1937, this being the twenty-first birthday of the bride.

After a few months, Mr. and Mrs. Mayo established their own home at 1228-11th St., in Nevada. Some months ago it became necessary for them to give up their home because of the illness of Mrs. Mayo. Seeking for complete rest at the home of her husband's parents her physical condition failed to improve. Weakened from an active tubular infection, she entered the Oakdale sanitarium near Iowa City, where it was hoped she would made the recovery sought for.

Her strength was not great enough to ward off the disease and, a few weeks ago, it became apparent that there was little probability of her recovery. Death called her quietly to rest on the evening of May 11th, after she had spent a quiet day in visitation with immediate family She faced the future unafraid, and with a loving trust in her heavenly Father.

She will be remembered as a person of friendly and loving disposition who had made treasured place for herself in the family circle and in the community.

Passing from this earth at the early age of 23 years, four months and 26 days, she leaves to mourn her loss: her husband, Mr. Elmore Mayo; her mother, Mrs. Martin Helland; her three sisters Clara, now Mrs. Lloyd Ellingston; Bertha, now Mrs. Otto Brue of Ames; and Emma, now Mrs. Alfred Mannes; and four brothers, Millard, Jesse, Delmar and Milo, all of McCallsburg. Besides these members of the immediate family there are many other relatives and friends who sorrow with them. Her father, Martin Helland, and two brothers, Maurice and Edward preceded her in death.