Helen E. FOCHT

FOCHT, SHANOR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/12/2009 at 14:32:18

Helen E. Focht, 99, of Oaknoll Retirement Residence, died there Saturday morning, March 24, 2001, after a lengthy illness. Her body was donated to the University of Iowa Department of Anatomy. No services are planned. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City.

Helen Focht was born in 1901 in Wilton Junction, Iowa. She moved with her family to Eagle Grove, where she graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1919. She received her B.A. degree in mathematics from Drake University in 1923. She taught high school in Manson and Hampton, Iowa. She then moved to Ames, where she worked at the College of Agriculture, Iowa State University. She moved to Iowa City in 1930 to continue her studies and teach at Iowa City High School. She obtained her master's degree in education from the University of Iowa in 1934. In 1935, she started her career with the UI as assistant to the dean of women and later as assistant to the director of student affairs. In 1947, she became the counselor to women at the UI, until retiring in 1967. Helen was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Iowa City, American Association of University Women, Mortar Board, National Association of Women Deans and Counselors, Iowa Association of Women Deans and Counselors, where she served in leadership; American College Personnel Association, American Personnel Association, Altrusa, PEO Chapter KP and Kappa Alpha Theta, as a member and serving on the corporation and advisory boards. She was a member of the Friends of Iowa City Public Library, Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries, Friends of the University of Iowa Museum of Art, Johnson County I Club and Presidents Club. She volunteered many hours at the Old Capitol and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Helen is survived by her sister, Ruth Shanor of Portland, Ore.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert.

Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA)
March 27, 2001