Helen Mathis

Helen A. Mathis, 88, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. Funeral services were held Monday, July 8 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.

Helen Arlene Mathis was born August 21, 1930 on her parents’ farm in rural Volney. She was the daughter of Frank and Gladys (Henderson) Huffman. She graduated from Waterville High School in Waterville.

October 3, 1951 she married William John “Bill” Mathis at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. In addition to being a busy mother and homemaker, Helen helped on their family farm at the edge of Waukon and worked for many years at the Northern Engraving factory in Waukon.

Some of Helen’s favorite times were spent dancing at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville and going on trips with Bill to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Branson, MO. More recently, she and Bill enjoyed outings to the casino boat in Marquette, where they visited with friends and then went out to eat. She enjoyed watching game shows on television and loved to spend time with her grandchildren at family events.

Survivors include her children: Gary (Maria) of Hilton Head Island, SC, Greg of Cumming, GA, Sue (John) Yager of Thompson and Mark of Waukon; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and four sisters-in-law, Sylvia Huffman, Jean Corrigan, Jean Mathis and Lorraine Bangs. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill, who died in 2013; a granddaughter, Jennifer; and her siblings, Joyce Rea and Donald, Keith, Eugene, Ralph, Cyril and Milton Huffman.

Honorary casketbearers were Laurie Kreul, Mary Hansen, Lori Rea, Pam Winters, Carol Hanson, Carla Leidahl, and James and Judy Rea. Casketbearers were Ken Hansen, Eric Kreul, Rick Rea, Robert Winters, Dave Hanson, Dan Leidahl and Dave Opdhal.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.