Helen Mae Willbanks Fischer

FISCHER, WILLBANKS

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 16:27:12

June 11, 2011
Helen Fischer, 90, Ottumwa

Anonymous Ottumwa Courier The Ottumwa Courier Sat Jun 11, 2011, 04:01 AM CDT

OTTUMWA — Helen Mae Wilbanks Fischer, 90, of Sacramento, Calif., formerly of Ottumwa, passed away Friday, June 3, 2011, at Missions Carmichael Hospice Center.

Helen was born Dec. 18, 1920, to Powell Alexander and Emma Elizabeth Crow Wilbanks. Helen lived in Ottumwa until the 1950s, when she moved to California.

She married John Ivan Gibbs Oct. 27, 1936. They had two children, John Robert Gibbs and Helen Josephine (Gibbs) Bacon. Both children preceded her in death, John Robert in 1990 and Helen Josephine April 12, 2001. Helen and John divorced in 1945.

Helen married Lyle Eugene Fischer Feb. 7, 1963. Helen and Lyle enjoyed 41 years together until he passed away in 2004. Helen and Lyle loved to travel after their retirement, visiting children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews across the United States and Canada. Helen enjoyed sewing and crocheting and making afghans for all her loved ones.

Helen was employed by aircraft manufacturing industries in California.

Helen was also preceded in death by her parents and brothers Edward Wilbanks, Frank Wilbanks and Glenn Wilbanks.

Helen is survived by her five stepchildren, Lyle Fischer and Sharon Sanders of Seattle, Wash., Pat Frey and Eugene Fischer of Sacramento, Calif., Manita Schoerner of Sheboygan, Wis.; as well as 33 stepgrandchildren. Helen is survived by her son-in-law, Miles Bacon; and grandchildren, Michael Barnhill, Gretchen Bacon-Starr, and Paula Zachman; great-granddaughters, Faith and Hope Starr. Helen has many loved nieces and nephews in this area.

Memorial services for Helen are to be Saturday, June 18, at American River Community Church, 3310 Walnut Ave., Carmichael, Calif., 95608. Arrangements are being handled by North Sacramento Funeral Home, 725 El Camino Ave., Sacramento, Calif. 95815; phone: 916-922-9668; fax: 916-922-2