Esther Helfer

Esther Helfer 100, of Marshalltown, Iowa passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2013 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, surrounded by her family.Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held on Friday June 7, 2013,from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Esther will be laid to rest at the Maple Grove Cemetery near Melbourne, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice, First United Methodist Church or to the family to be designated at a later date. Mitchell Family funeral Home is caring for Esther and her family. Phone 641-844-1234.Esther Barbara Appelgate was born on September 23, 1912 at home in rural Garwin, Tama County; she was the daughter of Frank and Emma (Beichley) Appelgate. Esther attended School in the Green Mountain School District graduating with the class of 1930; she then attended Nurses training at the Deaconess Hospital receiving her RN Degree. Esther practiced nursing until her marriage to Clarence Helfer on August 21, 1939 at her parents home. Esther kept books for their repair business Helfer Auto Service for 25 years. She was a member of the YWCA and a Board member for 4 years, active in the Girl and Boy Scouts also a member of Grace United Methodist Church holding many offices, until its closing and then First United Methodist Church. Esther loved to cook and was a good cook, enjoyed her many flower gardens and vegetable garden. She and Clarence love to fish in Minnesota and travel. Esther loved and adored her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her kind smile to all and her positive outlook on life.Left to cherish her memory are her children; Wayne (Nancy) Helfer of Rockford, Illinois, John (Patti) Helfer of Marshalltown, and Barb (Ernie) Green of Marshalltown. Grandchildren: Tracie Seaberg of Rockford, Illinois, Paige Maltry of Dixon, Illinois, Carie (Todd) Francher of Wisconsin, Dawn (Cyrus) Shepard of Seattle, Washington, Wade (Pam) Helfer of Ames and Kevin Green of Marshalltown and 9 great-grandchildren. Sisters-in-law; Gladys Appelgate of Gladbrook, Charlotte Appelgate and Myrene Appelgate of Marshalltown.In death she rejoins her parents; Frank and Emma, husband, Clarence, her sisters: Rachel Zink, Catherine Read and Ruth Rasmussen, brothers: Leroy, Eugene and Floyd Appelgate