Jeanette M. Helms, 80, of Le Mars, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2014 at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. Father Kevin Richter will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 15, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to greet friends. There will be a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Tuesday.
Jeanette Mary Schaefer was born on May 2, 1934 on the family farm near Hoven, South Dakota to Hubert and Barbara (Kaiser) Schaefer. She graduated from high school in Hoven and furthered her education at the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Yankton, South Dakota. Jeanette earned her Registered Nursing degree and, along with nursing, taught for a year at Sacred Heart.
On November 26, 1957, Jeanette and James Helms were united in marriage in Hoven. They lived in Yankton before moving to Le Mars, Iowa in 1965. Jeanette retired from nursing to raise and care for her family. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars. She volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister, greeter and former Catholic Daughter and choir member. She was also active in the right-to-life movement. Her faith was the center of her life as she recited the rosary and attended Mass daily. She also delivered Meals on Wheels in Le Mars.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 57 years, Jim Helms of Le Mars; four children and their spouses, Gary and Rita Helms of Kansas City, KS, Ron and Julie Helms of Overland Park, KS, Kathy and Mike Ream of Westfield, IA and Bill and Pam Helms of Le Mars, IA; 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beatrice Hein of Ipswich, SD and Doris Ann and Paul Nordhues of Sioux City, IA; a brother, Art Schaefer of Portland, OR; and several nieces and nephews.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Dywane Lowrey; a great-grandson, James Kraft Jr.; three infant sisters and one infant brother; three brothers, Maurice, Albin and twin brother, Eugene; sisters-in-law, Marie Schaefer and Ann Schaefer; and a brother-in-law, John Hein.
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