Ellen J. Kerr, 72, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Society in Le Mars. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at All Saints Catholic Parish -St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Tom Flanagan will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at a later date at Holy Name Cemetery in Marcus, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 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.

Ellen Janice Kerr was born on February 1, 1951, at University Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Dr. Vernon G. and Evelyn (Droll) Helt. Her father was a doctor so the family lived in various places in the Northwest Iowa area. She graduated from South Sioux City High School and furthered her education at Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa.

Ellen married Mike Bolton and they made Cherokee, Iowa their home. Ellen worked at the Cherokee County Courthouse in the auto department with the Treasurer's Office. Mike passed away and Ellen continued living in Cherokee.

Ellen then married Donald Kerr on November 12, 1994, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee. They made their home on a farm near Marcus, Iowa. Throughout the years, Ellen took classes at Western Iowa Technical College in Cherokee and Buena Vista University in Le Mars. They retired and moved to a home in Le Mars.

She was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars. In her spare time Ellen enjoyed crocheting.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Donald of Le Mars, Iowa; a brother and his wife, Varrick and Candace Helt of Wildwood, FL; sisters-in-law, Donna Helt of Lincoln, NE and Julie Helt of Sergeant Bluff, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Mike; a sister, Erika of Dakota City, NE brothers, Victor; Vincent (Cathy) and Valdemar Helt.

Memorials in Ellen's name may be directed to St. Croix Hospice, Good Samaritan Village or the June Nylen Cancer Center.