Helen Mathis

Helen A. Mathis, 88, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, July 02, 2019, at Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center, IA. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends can greet the family from 3:00 to 6:00 pm Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the activities committee at Timely Mission Nursing Home.

Helen Arlene Mathis was born on August 21, 1930 on her parents' farm in rural Volney, IA. She was the daughter of Frank and Gladys (Henderson) Huffman. She graduated from Waterville High School in Waterville, IA. On October 3, 1951 she married William John "Bill" Mathis at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. In addition to being a busy mother and homemaker Helen helped on their family farm at the edge of Waukon and worked for many years at the Northern Engraving factory in Waukon.

Some of Helen's favorite times were spent dancing at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville and going on trips with Bill to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Branson, MO. More recently she and Bill enjoyed outings to the casino boat in Marquette, IA, where they visited with friends and then went out to eat. She enjoyed watching game shows on television and loved to spend time with her grandchildren at family events.

Survivors include her children: Gary (Maria) of Hilton Head Island, SC, Greg of Cumming, GA, Sue (John) Yager of Thompson, IA, and Mark of Waukon; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and 4 sisters-in-law: Sylvia Huffman, Jean Corrigan, Jean Mathis, and Lorraine Bangs. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill who died in 2013; a granddaughter Jennifer; and her siblings: Joyce Rea and Donald, Keith, Eugene, Ralph, Cyril, and Milton Huffman.

Honorary casketbearers are Laurie Kreul, Mary Hansen, Lori Rea, Pam Winters, Carol Hanson, Carla Leidahl, and James and Judy Rea. Casketbearers are Ken Hansen, Eric Kreul, Rick Rea, Robert Winters, Dave Hanson, Dan Leidahl, and Dave Opdhal.