Obituary of Helen Margaret Bell

Helen Margaret (Frericks) Bell, 90, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away peacefully at 9:25 AM on Sunday, October 21st, 2012 at Oak Crest Nursing Home surrounded by family. Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, IA on Saturday, October 27th at 10:00 AM followed by burial in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, October 26th from 2 pm-8 pm at Kramer Funeral Home. Catholic Daughters of America Court St Rose #350 will lead the rosary in remembrance of Helen at 4PM and a memorial prayer service will be conducted at 5 PM. Helen Margaret Frericks was born on December 20, 1921 in Dyersville, IA, the oldest of five children born to Edward and Margaret (Weber) Frericks. Her first through third grade school years were at a country school and then she finished her elementary schooling at St. Francis Xavier Grade School. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in 1940. Helen's first job was at the Ben Franklin store in Dyersville. After graduating, she worked at the National Tea Grocery Store in Dyersville. During WWII, she was promoted to the manager of the National Tea Grocery store in Dubuque. Helen held that position until she met her sweetheart, James Bell. They met at a dance at the Dyersville Park Pavilion, when her close friend, Rose Mary Bell introduced Helen to her brother. Helen married James on January 26th, 1944 at the St. Francis Xavier Basilica. Together they farmed southwest of Dyersville for almost 40 years and were blessed with six children. Upon retiring from farming in 1981, they moved to Dyersville. Helen worked part-time at Kids World clothing store and found great joy in volunteering. For many years, Helen volunteered on Thursday mornings to clean church. One of her favorite volunteer responsibilities was driving the priests for funerals for Kramer Funeral Home. In 2004, they moved to the Ellen Kennedy Living Center in Dyersville. Jim and Helen celebrated 67 years of marriage before Jim passed away in June of 2011 and Helen moved to Oak Crest Nursing Home. Helen was a caring woman with strong faith. She believed firmly in the power of the rosary and always carried her rosary in her pocket, ready for any emergency. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Rose #350 for 69 years. Family was very important to Helen. She took great pride in preparing the best homemade meals for her family and guests. She always set a beautiful table. She was well known for her famous chocolate chip cookies, beautifully decorated Christmas cookies, divinity candy and her apple pie. She even won the Delaware County Pork Producers Best Pie Contest. Helen was very meticulous in all phases of her life. She was a great card player and could play with the best. She loved to teach her grandchildren and great grandchildren to pray, play cards, and bake. Helen was known among her family for her beautiful flowers, large garden, playing solitaire, completing word search puzzles, and having an immaculate home. She also enjoyed traveling with Jim - especially to visit her daughters and grandchildren. Those left to cherish her memories are her children, David (Patti) Bell of Dyersville, Bob (Joyce) Bell of Dubuque, Janet Bell of Glastonbury, CT, Joyce Rooney of Annapolis, MD, Jane (Dick) Schmitz of Pittsburgh, PA, Ken (Michelle) Bell of Dyersville; her twelve grandchildren, Amy (Pat) Calvert of Urbandale, IA, Carmen Bell of Chandler, AZ, Molly Bell of Chandler, AZ, Emily (Paul) Scranton of Bettendorf, IA, Sean (Alyson) Rooney of Houston, TX, Heather (Mike) Gaven of Hurst, TX, Matt Rooney of Dallas, TX, Betsy (Mike) McCarren, Sarah (Dustin) Smith, and Rachael Schmitz all of Pittsburgh, PA, Brandon (Nikki) Bell of Earlville, Lisa Bell of Madison, WI; Step grandchildren Gretchen (Rich) Schwerdtfeger, Shanghai, China and Valerie (Brian) Ciotti, Columbus, OH; 14 great grandchildren and 7 step great grandchildren. Also surviving are one brother, Roy (Ruth) Frericks of Dyersville; brother-in-law Howard Konzen of Dyersville, sisters-in-law Velma Frericks and Rosemary Frericks both of Dyersville, Edith Kedley of Dubuque, IA, Kay (Vern) Gansemer of Sussex, WI, Marian Bell and Arlene Bell both of Dyersville, Betty Bell of East Dubuque, IL, Laura Willenbring of Farley; brother-in-law, Tom (Jeanette) Bell of Dyersville. She was preceded in death, by her husband James; her parents, Edward and Margaret Frericks; her two brothers, Lavern Frericks and Elmer Frericks; her sister, Rose Mary Konzen; her parents-in-law, Clarence and Olive Bell; her brothers-in-law John Bell, Herbert Bell, Louis Bell, Don Willenbring, and Orland Kedley; sisters-in-law, Vernita Frericks and Rose Mary Willenbring. The Family would like to thank the caring staff at Oak Crest Nursing Home, the Ellen Kennedy Living Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their excellent care. Memorials in Helen's honor will be given to St. Francis Xavier Parish, Oak Crest Nursing Home or Hospice of Dubuque. Online condolences can be left at www.kramerfuneral.com.