Helene Kanengieter

George, IA Helene Kanengieter age 83 of George, IA died February 28, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Center in George, IA. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Tabernacle Baptist Church of George with Pastor Bryan Anderson and Pastor Dale Phelps, officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery at Little Rock, IA. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 " 8:00 with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Helene Ruth (Mulder) Kanengieter was born on July 18, 1926 at Little Rock, IA. The darling and red haired Helene Ruth was born to George and Jennie (Schneidermann) Mulder. She was the second of five children. Helene grew up in rural Lyon County and graduated from Little Rock High School. Music brought great joy to Helenes life. From childhood on, she sang with her siblings and in numerous choirs. She played trombone in the high school band and was a self-taught pianist. Helene received her teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers College and taught three years in various rural schools. She married her high school sweetheart Marvin Kanengieter on June 19, 1945. Helene and Marvin devoted their life to Christian ministry. They served in Adrian and West Concord, Minnesota; Elkhart, Indiana; Albion, Michigan and various cities in Colorado. Helene was a well-loved pastors wife, known for her gracious hospitality and leadership skills. Helene also worked as an accountant for 10 years at Denver Biomaterials. Helene always had a smile and kind word for everyone. Marv and Helene shared their retirement years between Arizona and Colorado and later moved back to their roots in George. They enjoyed traveling to China, Australia, Africa and Europe. Helene and Marvin were blessed with five children: Rosalie Forsythe (Colorado Springs, CO); Jane Evonne (Laguna Beach, CA); Shari and husband, Jim Ardill (Moreno Valley, CA); Marla and husband, Dan Wildeson (St. Cloud, MN); and John and wife Maggie Kanengieter (Lander, WY). Seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren also brought great joy to Helene. Survivors include her husband Marvin of George; her 5 children and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren; three sisters, Frances (Johnny) Harms of Boyden; Emma Jane Reed of South Bend, IN; and Lois (Ray) Boone of Sioux City, IA.; sister-in-law Jeanette Mulder of Boyden, along with a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents George and Jennie Mulder, her brother Kenneth Mulder and her brothers-in-law, Alvin De Berg and Charles Reed.