Helen Hein

Alvord, Iowa Helen Hein, age 94 of Alvord, IA died Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 1st at Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord, IA, with Rev. Carla Jensen officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery in Alvord. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 29th from 4 " 8 PM with the family present form 6 " 8 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Helen Wilhelmina Hein was born to Herman and Caroline (Stettnichs) Thielvoldt July 11, 1913 near Alvord, Iowa. She passed away at Lyon County Nursing and Rehab Center on February 27, 2008. Helen was baptized at her home by Rev. Ed Goeringer. Helen and her family lived on a farm northeast of Alvord. Helen was confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Alvord where she remained a member until her death. While on the farm Helen helped with many chores including chickens, gardening and cleaning. Her favorite chore was taking care of the chickens. Helen attended Cleveland Township schools through eighth grade and graduated from Alvord High School in 1931. While in school she won many spelling events. As a young woman she met Ed Hein and on December 3, 1936 they married. In 1939 their son Larry was born. Ed and Helen worked for local farmers for a few years until they started farming on their own in the early 1940s. In 1951 they moved to the farm north of Alvord where they lived until the summer of 1970 when they retired to their home in Alvord. Ed and Helen shared five years together in Alvord until February 10, 1976 when Ed passed away. Helen continued to live in her home in Alvord until September of 2005 when she moved to Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab Center where she remained until her death on February 27, 2008. Helen was very active in organizations and activities. She served on the Election Board for 20 years (either for Cleveland Township or for Alvord). She was a member of the Lyon County Extension Club, the Lyon County Historical Society, and Christ Lutheran Church Ladies Aid (of which she served as president). She was especially happy to serve as a Grandma in the Foster Grandparent Program (Rock Valley branch) for 26 years. Helen was never idle. In her married life she went with Ed to Washington state to visit relatives. They also enjoyed fishing trips each spring and fall. Helen didnt like to eat fish, but she caught lots of them. Ed and Helen traveled by car to Davenport, Iowa and to Texas. After Ed passed away Helen went on numerous bus trips (to Branson, Missouri, to Florida, and to numerous locations in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska). She had a good time and she made a good time for others. For a number of years she served as the Alvord contact person for bus trips to sites in neighboring states. Helen was noted for the lovely crocheted afghans that she made and often gave as gifts. She was an avid card player and also enjoyed playing bingo. She enjoyed word games and played Scrabble and Rummikub. Whenever possible she continued these activities as a resident at Lyon Manor and she participated in many outings the home set up as well. Helen is survived by her son Lawrence Hein (spouse--Carolyn) of Alvord; grandchildren Brian, Kathy, and Lisa Hein of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Brad Hein of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law Elsie Thielvoldt of Alvord; a number of nieces and nephews and many many friends. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Hein; her parents Herman and Caroline Thielvoldt; her brothers Glen, Ervin, and William Thielvoldt.