Obituary of Barbara Joan Helmer

West Branch, Iowa

Barbara J. Helmer, 85, went to her final resting home, December 4, 2018 at Crestview Specialty Care Center in West Branch.

A memorial mass will be held 10 A.M. Saturday, December 8, 2018 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in West Branch. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 until 10 at the church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Springdale Cemetery, Springdale. A memorial fund has been established. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara was born February 2, 1933 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa the daughter of Lealand and Velma (Thomas) Knowles. She was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids. On November 8, 1952 she was united in marriage to Richard Hoffey, together they had three daughters, he passed away in 1961. On May 13, 1962 she was married to Robert Helmer in Iowa City and together they had one son Louis. Barb and Bob celebrated 56 years of marriage and lived in Springdale for 45 years.

She had been employed with Link Belt Speeder, Cookson Home in West Branch as the Director of Recreation and sold Home Interiors for 20 years.

Barb loved dogs, horses and ponies, owning many through her lifetime. She enjoyed painting and could draw beautifully. She was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Springdale Culture Club and Red Hats. Along with her cherished friends; Doris Lynch, Betty McCarty and Mildred Mather she participated in Senior Aerobics with a trip to the McDonald’s coffee club.

Survivors include her husband Bob. Children: Theresa (Bob) Arn, Deborah (Duane) Chalupa, Sharon (Dan) Hermansen and Louis Helmer, 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister Kathy (Darrell) Goodall, sister in law  Barb Knowles, brother in law Paul (Delsie) Hoffey, sister in laws: Nadine Hoffey and Sally Hoffey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard Hoffey, brothers:  Jimmy and Lealand Jr, brother in laws: Gerald (Janet) Hoffey and Don Hoffey, parents in laws: William and Evelyn Hoffey.