Halstead, Helen Margaret (Buchheit) 1933 - 2024

HALSTEAD, BUCHHEIT, MILLER, CARPENTER, GLATZ, LYNCH, MEYER, LANGRECK, KLEIMAN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/29/2024 at 10:07:44

Helen Margaret Halstead, 90, West Union, Iowa peacefully passed away at Stoney Brook Village on June 22, surrounded by her loving family. Helen was born on August 25, 1933, to Nicholas and Verena (Miller) Buchheit of Festina, Iowa. Helen was baptized on August 26, 1933, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. She received her education at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Festina and graduated from Calmar Public High School.

Helen met the love of her life, George W. Halstead of West Union, at a dance in Spillville, Iowa. They were married on April 3, 1956, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. Nine children were born to this union. Together they farmed north of West Union; she lived on the same family farm for 65 years. In her later years, she found comfort and many friendships in her second home, Stoney Brook Village.

Helen had a passion for quilting; she made quilts for all forty-four of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed pie baking and canning her garden produce. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family at annual Independence Day reunions by Lanesboro, MN and holiday gatherings. Putting jigsaw puzzles together, playing Euchre and Dominoes and listening to as well as playing Polka music on her accordion were favorite activities. Among her travels were trips to Germany and Italy, including a Papal Audience with Pope Benedict in 2007.

Helen was very active in Holy Name Catholic Church, Holy Name Rosary Society, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was a member of Fayette County Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Farm Bureau, and past Fayette County Porkettes. In addition, she served 12 years as a 4-H leader for the Diligent Dovers and in 2009, was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

Left to cherish her memory are her nine children Jim (Jackie) Halstead, West Union, Lois (Tom) Carpenter, West Des Moines, Kathy (Chuck) Glatz, Ames, Mark (Linda) Halstead, West Union, Dave (Cathy) Halstead, Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary (Alan) Lynch, Ames, Art (Angela) Halstead, Story, Arkansas, Teresa (Jeff Bryant) Halstead, Ames and Jo (Curt) Meyer, Grimes; 20 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way); a sister, Mildred (Charles) Langreck, West Union, and a sister-in-law, Jeanette Buchheit, Ossian; and many other relatives and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, George who passed on in 1995. They both died on June 22, reuniting after 29 years. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Elmer; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Bonnie Halstead, John and Grace Halstead, and Tom and Clara Kleiman.

Special thanks go to her caregivers at Stoney Brook Village, Gunderson Palmer Lutheran Hospice, and her very best friend and caregiver, Leanne Berns.

Memorials in Helen’s honor may be given to Gunderson Palmer Lutheran Hospice, Catholic Daughter Court #814, Knights of Columbus Council #4287, or Holy Name Church.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024 from 4 to 7 pm with a 3:30 pm Rosary and Vigil at 7:00 pm at Holy Name Parish Center in West Union, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Ralph Davis as the celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery next to her beloved husband George.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.

Source: Grau Funeral Home database