Helen E Haynes

Helen Lucht Haynes of Garwin, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025 at the age of 92 at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon, where she had lived since October 2023. Helen was born to Adolf and Magda Wiggers Lucht on January 24, 1933, on a farm near Garwin, Iowa. Her parents were both immigrants from Germany and joined a community of other Germans in the Garwin area after they passed through Ellis Island. Helen received her education at Garwin School participating in 6-on-6 girls’ basketball until a knee injury redirected her to become a team manager.

Following her graduation with 13 classmates in 1950, Helen worked at Fisher Governor in Marshalltown for 1 ½ years before marrying Lloyd Dean Haynes on December 30, 1951. Lloyd was drafted three weeks later, leading the couple to spend 8 weeks in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, before his 18-month deployment in Germany during the Korean War. During Lloyd's absence, Helen worked in the billing department of Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, residing with another army buddy’s wife. Lloyd always boasted about how well they got along during those early years of separation! Subsequently, she devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom and supporting her husband's farming endeavors. Later, she pursued further education through Adult Education classes and embarked on an 18-year career at the Tama County Treasurer’s office until her retirement in 1988.

Helen and Lloyd cherished dancing and traveling while making many new friends along the way. They shared a passion for camping, travel, and card games. For over 50 years, they celebrated New Year's Eve and summer camping trips with three other couples from high school friendships. Helen's most cherished trip was accompanying her husband, mother Magda, and brother Herman and his wife Ethel to meet their family in the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, fostering subsequent visits from family members to America. Other notable trips included returns to Germany, a European tour spanning 7 countries, a Panama Canal expedition, and a journey to Israel.

Actively engaged in her family's activities, Helen fully supported her children’s activities and later delighted in attending her grandchildren’s events. She was renowned for her exceptional culinary skills, particularly her potato salad, German pancakes and peach pie with crumb topping. A devout Methodist and unwavering Republican, Helen embodied her convictions.

Helen is survived by her children: Janyce (Todd) Stewart of Iowa City, Cindy (Dennis) Cruikshank of Ankeny, and Mark (Renee) Haynes of Windsor, Colorado, 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Wheeler, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, sister-in-law Ethel Lucht of Gladbrook, Iowa, brother-in-law Fred Haynes (Judie) in Toledo, Iowa, and several cherished nieces and nephews.

Preceding Helen in death was her husband, Lloyd Haynes, son Bruce Haynes, granddaughter Hannah Stewart, parents Adolf and Magda Lucht, sister Wilma Busch, brother Herman Lucht, as well as several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 beginning at 11:00 A.M. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Essence of Life Hospice, 606 39th Ave, Amana Iowa, 52203; Garwin Valley Community Church, 402 3rd St, Garwin, Iowa 50632; or to the charity of your choice. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.