Helen Lucille Pritchett

CLOUSE, PRITCHETT, DUFFIELD

Posted By: Melanie Carlson (email)
Date: 7/6/2025 at 17:41:37

Helen Lucille Pritchett, daughter of James Lavern and Cora Etta (Duffield) Clouse, was born October 24, 1913 in Grant township, Ringgold county, Iowa and departed this life April 13, 1997, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 83 years.

Lucille spent her early years in the Diagonal-Clearfield area. She graduated from the Clearfield high school.

In 1931 she married Ralph Pritchett of Clearfield, Iowa. To this union five children were born: Lois Irene, Verna Eileen, Marilyn Louise, Ralph Forrest, Jr and Jerry Lee.

They began farming in the Diagonal-Clearfield area and in 1937 they moved to rural Delphos, Iowa where they made their home and farmed together until Ralph’s death in 1978. She continued to live on the family farm until ill health caused her to retire.

Lucile was a busy farm wife. Her days were filled with caring for her family, gardening, growing pretty flowers, sewing and craft work. She was active in the Delphos PTA, a 4-H leader, and helped with the Delphos centennial celebrations, donating land and playground equipment for a city park at that time . She will be remembered by her friends and family as being the “best” cook. It was a sure thing when you were invited to share a meal in her kitchen it would be so good you would always ask for seconds. Her most treasured times were when her family would gather at her home for family dinners. All of her grandchildren share many stories of getting to play together and stay with Grandma. She loved to travel and was always ready to go shopping.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Ralph; son, Junior; her parents; four brothers, Lloyd, Floyd, Max and Cecil; and great-grandson, Robert Mackey.

Survivors include daughters, Lois Mackey of Delphos, Eileen Mason and husband Frank of Mount Ayr, Marilyn Johnson and husband Theron of Delphos, and son Jerry of Clarinda; ten grandchildren: Mary Helen Cochrane of Des Moines, Kenneth Stephens and wife Cindy of Mount Ayr, Richard Mackey and wife Barbara of Diagonal, Kathryn Poore of Mount Ayr, Melanie Carlson and husband Richard of Madison, Wisconsin, Ronald Mackey of Mount Ayr, Randall Mackey of Minot, North Dakota, Travis Johnson of Delphos, Jeremy Pritchett of Boone, Calin Jo Pritchett of Jordan Valley, Oregon; thirteen great-grandchildren: Daniel, Andrew and David Cochrane of Des Moines, Josie and Aimee Stephens of Mount Ayr, J.R., J.D., and Jimmie Mackey of Diagonal, Scott and Krisy Poore of Mount Ayr, R. David, Lauren and Berit Carlson of Madison, Wisconsin; two great-great grand children: Anthony and Morgan Cochrane of Des Moines; one brother, Rex Clouse of Bridgeport, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 17,1997 at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, with Rev. Charles Hawkins officiating. Pallbearers were grandsons: Kenneth Stephens, Richard Mackey, Ronald Mackey, Randall Mackey, Travis Johnson and Jeremy Pritchett. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters: Mary Helen Cochrane, Kathryn Poore, Melanie Carlson and Calin Pritchett. Music was provided by Mary Trullinger, Margaret Bickers and Nancy Sackett.

Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetary at Mount Ayr. A memorial has been established for the Ringgold County Cancer Society.