Obituary of Helen Jane Willenborg

DYERSVILLE, IOWA Helen Jane Willenborg, 93, of Dyersville died Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where the CD of A and the VFW/American Legion Auxiliary will recite the rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service will be held at 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 5, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Helen was born August 7, 1920, in Dyersville, Iowa, the only daughter of John and Grace (Bockenstedt) Naber. She graduated from Xavier High School in 1938. Helen married Maurice G. Willenborg on November 9, 1943, in Dyersville, Iowa. When Maurice returned from his tour of duty in World War II, they farmed near Petersburg until they retired to Dyersville in 1983. Helen later moved to Ellen Kennedy Living Center in May of 2012. Helen was active in her community volunteering at Oak Crest Manor, Beckman Catholic High School, the Dyer House, St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary and she led the rosary at the Basilica. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America (CD of A), the American Legion Auxiliary Post 137, VFW Auxiliary Post 7736, Friends of the Library and the Dyersville Historical Society. She was a good cook and enjoyed her vegetable and beautiful flower gardens. Helen loved to visit with her many relatives - she being the oldest living relative of the Naber-Bockenstedt families. She treasured many activities especially Christmas with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Carla (William) Aldershof of Little Rock, AK, Lola (Dean) Baragary of Winthrop, Paula Forest of Iowa City, and Nyla (Randy) Pettinger of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Dana) Baum, Jon (Tina) Baum, Elizabeth Forest, Zachary (Mia) Pettinger, and Abby Pettinger (Chris Heck); great grandchildren: Jesse, Emily, Ashley and Jacob Baum, Charlie and Evan Baum; step grandchildren: Julie Horne, Leslie George, Sean Baragary (Kelsey Leonard) and step great grandchildren: Joe, John, Josh and Jordan Horne, and Caleb and Tessa George; sisters-in-law: Betty Naber, Kay Naber, Caryl Willenborg; brother-in-law, Lee Krapfl and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Maurice in 2001, a daughter, Marcia Lynn in 1953, parents-in-law, Herman and Ella Willenborg, brothers: Donald "Bud" and William Naber; brother and sister-in-law, Robert (Marcella) Naber, sister-in-law, Mildred Krapfl and brother-in-law, Marvin Willenborg. Memorials may be given to Beckman Catholic High School, St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Ellen Kennedy Living Center or the Good Neighbor Home. A special thank you to the caring and professional staff of the Ellen Kennedy Living Center and the Good Neighbor Home.