My deepest sympathy to Helen's family. I knew Helen "back in the day" at SS. Peter and Paul grade school in Petersburg, Iowa. She always had a smile on her face, was very tenacious, even as a child. Our school had four stories - and was NOT handicap accessible. Even then, she wanted no help climbing all those stairs. There is no doubt she was a very special person. She was a friend to everyone, and we all loved her. Kathleen (Hermsen) Holtz
Kathleen Holtz
June 14, 2025
Tom and Family: So sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. My Mother was at Cottage Grove for about 8 months, before she passed in early May. While visiting her from Chicago, I ran in to your Mother on numerous occasions. I always told how nice she looked and loved her bright smile. In one of our more longer conversations, we discovered the relationship between you and my brother, Jim. She was a very sweet and caring. person. Sending hugs and prayers. Jean
Jean Pohorsky Wiggins
June 10, 2025
Helen’s Celebration of Life service today was beautiful! All aspects of her service truly reflected a life well lived Helen’s way. While working at Cottage Grove Place I had the opportunity to really get to know Helen. I loved her fierce independence and her spurt of determination. She was a remarkable person in so many ways…strong of mind and in spirit. I always appreciated Helen’s willingness to help out the Marketing Department with events, mailings or being a mentor to a new resident, helping them acclimate to the retirement community. Over time I grew to love Helen, especially her positive attitude. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace dear, sweet Helen.
Vickie Weuve
June 7, 2025
As a democrat surrounded by republicans, I was elated to find Helen, and we became good friends, heading for a quiet corner to vent about national events. Helen was an amazing woman with so many talents who shrugged off physicsl problems as if they were something to go beyond. Her sense of humor and dry wit were such a delight. A chat with her always made my day! She will be missed in these trying times -- we need her voice! Healing thoughts to all her family and big hugs!
Dorothy Hinman
June 7, 2025
Helen was my right hand employee at Jefferson Davis for many years. I was fortunate to spend so much time with such a wonderful person.
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen and her family.
Joe and Pat Gross
June 7, 2025
Helen was my right hand employee at Jefferson Davis for many years. I was fortunate to spend so much time with such a wonderful person.
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen and her family.
Joe and Pat Gross
June 6, 2025
Helen was my right hand employee at Jefferson Davis for many years. I was fortunate to spend so much time with such a wonderful person.
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen and her family.
Joe and Pat Gross
June 6, 2025
So sorry for your loss. I knew Helen many years ago working at Jefferson Davis Associates and reconnected with her when my mother was at Cottage Grove Place. She was a wonderful woman and a force to be reckoned with. My condolences to you all.
Kris Knepper
June 5, 2025
I met Helen while working at Cottage Grove Place. She was always so kind and I enjoyed every conversation I had with her. I don't remember her ever being in a bad mood. My thoughts and prayers to Helen and her friends/family.
Taylor Lukan
June 5, 2025
Helen‘s family: I am a resident of Cottage Grove Place and have been for over eight years. I saw Helen frequently and when I first moved into Cottage Grove Place, Helen was president of the resident council and I was elected to that council. However, I had known Helen for many years because when I was a young attorney at the firm of Simmons Perrine, she was hired as a secretary, and she was my secretary. She was probably the best secretary I ever had in my over 65 years of law practice. She was my secretary back when everything was done with paper, and I recall that she walked with two wooden crutches. I therefore started getting up from my desk, walking to the file room and carrying back my paper files to my office. The first time she saw me do that she“scolded me” saying I can do that. And she did. After that, I never had to retrieve a paper file myself. She was one of the most remarkable secretaries I ever had if not the best. In these later years when I became reacquainted with her at Cottage Grove Place, she always had her beautiful smile and displayed her positive attitude about everything, even in recent times when she was diagnosed with cancer. I will never forget her beautiful, engaging smile and caring attitude, even though she had spent most of her life with a disability from polio. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim Nemmers
June 5, 2025
Helen was my friend. We had many visits relating to the world we shared. She was a kind, bright, person who understood leadership and what makes a difference in life. She understood her reality, and was ready for it. She lit a candle of awareness for all of us living at Cottage Grove Place. I celebrate her life, and commend her for all her accomplishments in this life. I join her family and friends as we celebrate who she was and what she did. We are ll better because she was here.
God's Blessings.
William C. Jacobson
Cottage Grove Board of Trustees.
William Jacobson
June 5, 2025
Helen, you are so strong, so intelligent, always resourceful, such a wonderful parent and wife and friend, so good hearted, so levelheaded, so calm in the face of adversity, so realistically optimistic, always on the moral and right side of all the issues…..you check all the boxes.
It has been a privilege and an honor to be your friend and your business associate all these years since Pam said to Sharon from the back seat driving home from kindergarten “I think my mom is looking for a job.” Thank you, powers that be, for words from the mouths of babes.
Helen, I have loved you dearly and admired you completely. I am so grateful for you, I will always honor and extol your memory. I hope I can be for my children and for others half the example you have been for me.
With love and ultimate respect, Jeff Davis
Jeff Davis
June 4, 2025