RUPE, Helen M. (1930-2015)

RUPE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 10/1/2017 at 13:22:42

Helen May Rupe
(November 29, 1930 - April 29, 2015)

Helen Rupe passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Westview Care Center in Indianola, Iowa. A memorial funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Indianola First United Methodist Church. Visitation with family will begin at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, prior to services. Burial of ashes will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Indianola. Helen was born on November 29, 1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Orin Rupe and Ada Stamper. Helen grew up in Des Moines with six sisters and one brother. She lived most of her life on a small farm west of Wick, Iowa, where she raised six children. They moved to 409 South E Street, Indianola, her present home.
It's hard to describe Helen…she was so many things to so many people. Above all, she loved her family…and she has a LARGE family! She was the glue that kept everyone stuck together. She loved her family unconditionally even if she may have agreed with what someone did she would give a tight hug, tell them she loved them and then give them hell for doing whatever they did wrong. She never knew a stranger and could make friends with just about anyone, including the crew up at the Conoco gas station, and the garbage truck driver on her route. Helen's children were the sparkle in her eye – she loved them dearly, through thick and thin. But Helen's grandchildren were her pride and joy! She bragged about them constantly…and they think she hangs the moon and sun. There is nothing Helen wouldn't do for her children and grandchildren, and even a complete stranger. Helen was a giver, with a heart of gold, but she wouldn't say that of herself; she was too humble, just wanting to do the right thing. Helen was also one fierce and sassy lady, "fit to be tied" as the newspaper once described her in her battle to get the neighborhood cats to stay in their own yards! She was small in stature but she was a strong little lady that got things done. Helen will be missed…her welcoming smile when anyone walked through her door – she was always happy to see everyone, her cups of tea, her applesauce cookies, her green tomato jam, her cinnamon-sugar toast – she made the best cinnamon toast – the smell of her Aquanet hairspray, the feeling one gets walking into her kitchen – so warm and grandma-like, there are just too many things to list…but most of all her hugs – she gave the best hugs.
Helen was a homemaker and also worked as an aide at the Westview Care Center and Good Samaritan Care Center. Helen also worked as a waitress at Chef's restaurant in Des Moines. She also baby sat her nieces and nephews at a very early age. When Helen moved to her present home she baby sat for friends and her grandchildren. Helen's last job was doggy sitting with our little dog "Sugar" who became so attached to her that we always said Sugar was her doggy.
Helen is survived by her children; Tony(Laurel)Chambers of Creston, Terry(Gary)Mercer of Indianola, Sarah(Henry)Crouch of Marlow, Oklahoma, Beverly(Lavere)Russell of Albia, David Chambers of Shenandoah, Douglas Chambers of Marlow, Oklahoma and Margaret(Frank)Moran of Omaha, Nebraska; sister, Dorothy Barns of Kellerton, 21 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Helen was preceded in death by her parents Orin and Ada; sisters, Lillie Proctor, Haroldine Pelcman, Opal Chapai and Fern Starret; brother, Wayne Rupe and a son Robert Renes. This memorial is provided by Peterson Funeral Services, 415 School St., Carlisle, Iowa, www.petersonfuneralservices.com