Helen Louise (Hennies) Folkmann, 16 Feb 1923 - 12 Jul 2024

FOLKMANN, HENNIES

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 7/25/2024 at 13:10:22

Helen Louise (Hennies) Folkmann, 101, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024 at Keystone Nursing Care Center. She was surrounded by loving family and compassionate caregivers during her last days and at the time of her passing.

The family will hold a visitation on Sunday, August 11 from 2-5 pm at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Keystone, on Monday, August 12 at 10:30 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Josiah Schultz. Burial will be immediately after the service at Keystone Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the Keystone Turner Hall.

Born February 16, 1923 in Wagner South Dakota, the daughter of Carl and Helen Hennies, Helen was active in many high school activities and was crowned homecoming queen. She lived in Wagner until her graduation from high school and completion of a year of secretarial school, after which she followed her parents to Southern California. There she met a handsome Navy man from Iowa, Herb Folkmann, who came to Sunday dinner with her brother Gordon. They were married on January 30, 1946 in Inglewood, California. After Herb’s deployment in World War II and the Korean War ended, Herb and Helen returned to Iowa permanently.

Herb and Helen raised five children. Helen also worked outside the home, first at Peoples Bank, then Keystone Savings Bank.

Helen was widowed at a young age, but she kept busy with bowling leagues, swimming classes, card playing, and watching sports. She and her girlfriends (in particular her dear friend Edna Heitmann) were always off on their next adventure. She has been a member of Ladies Auxiliary since 1947. She was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and while there was active in the choir.

Family was everything to Helen. From her kids to grandkids and great grandkids, to in-laws, nieces and nephews – they were her world. Helen also had many dear friends that she considered to be family. She enjoyed her travels to see far flung relatives and friends, as well as gatherings with those closer to home. One of Helen’s true loves was children, and there wasn’t a chubby baby leg that was spared her loving squeezes.

Helen was firm in her faith that heaven awaits us. Among many other things, she taught us to be grateful and to show kindness. We were blessed to have been a part of Helen’s life. We will miss her happy nature, her wit and her love.

Helen lived at the Keystone Care center at the time of her death, where she was loved and cared for. Her family wishes to convey heartfelt thanks to everyone who made Helen so happy there. Your kindness and caring overwhelms us. Also many thanks to the caring St Croix Hospice team that provided additional care over the last several months. We are so very grateful to all of these caregivers.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Herb, her parents, her six siblings, her in-laws, a daughter in law, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

She is survived by five children: Suzanne of West Des Moines, Ia; Ed of Long Beach, Ca; Bill of Truckee, Ca; Mary (Mike) of West Des Moines, Ia; and Donn (June) of Van Horne, Ia. Also, seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Helen is also survived by her bonus families, Jeanne and Bill Albers and children Keaton, Garrett, and Madison, and Alice and John Liguori.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Keystone Nursing Care Center or St John’s Lutheran Church.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com

Published on Phillips Funeral Home website.