Helen Zarwell

Helen A. Zarwell, 91, of New Albin, Iowa, passed away Thursday afternoon, February 24, 2005, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., following a brief illness. Funeral services were Monday, February 28, at St. Peter’s with burial at the New Albin City Cemetery. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Helen was born February 9, 1914, in New Albin, to Reinhardt and Selma (Welper) Jordan. Except for a year as a waitress in St. Paul, Minn., in her youth, and a stay in Thornton Heights and then Thornton Manor in Lansing, Iowa, since October of 2004, Helen worked diligently as a wife, mother, and homemaker in New Albin throughout her entire life.

Helen was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in New Albin, and graduated from New Albin High School in 1931. She was a very young girl when her mother died during childbirth, and for many years thereafter Helen was the primary caregiver to her father Reinhardt “Bouncer” Jordan; her brothers Harold “Hook”, Clarence “Snide”, and Irvin “Whip”, and her younger sister Lorena “Dolly”. Throughout their lives, each of her siblings and their families continued to make numerous trips to Helen’s home to enjoy her generosity and hospitality.

Helen married her childhood sweetheart and lifelong partner, Herbert “Herb” Zarwell, December 24, 1942, in St. Charles, Mo., near where Herb was stationed in the Army Air Corps. Herb was soon stationed in England and then Germany helping the U.S win World War II.

Helen and Herb enjoyed traveling to many parts of the United States and Canada which opened a world of travel and adventure for their sons Ric and Ron. For a half-dozen years the family enjoyed lengthy summertime vacations at a favorite lake in Northern Minnesota, and other years enjoyed exploring Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills of South Dakota, plus many places in between. In later years Helen and Herb continued to travel for visits to their sons and their families wherever they lived.

A devoted wife and mother, Helen was widely appreciated for her hospitality toward family and friends, her enjoyment of card clubs, her wonderful cooking ability, and especially for her fondness for desserts of all types. Helen was a loyal and active member of her Ladies Aid and VFW Auxiliary, and she taught Sunday School for a number of years.

Helen was preceded in death by their oldest son, Neil, her parents, and all her siblings. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 62 years, Herb; and by her eternally appreciative and grateful sons Ric (Betty) of Lansing, Iowa, and Ron (Donna) of Pontiac, Ill. She is further survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Helen will be forever missed by all who knew her.

No life of 91 years can be summed up in a few words. But let the world know this about Helen Zarwell: she always placed her beloved husband and sons first, and herself second. Throughout her long life Helen provided happiness, health, and well-being to husband, sons, other family members and friends. No person could possibly ask for a truer wife, mother, or friend.