Helen Kreber

          Helen Kreber age 78 of Sibley, IA died Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA.        Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, with Father PJ McManus as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.        Visitation will be Monday, June 5th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton. There will be a rosary at 5:00 PM and vigil service at 7:30 PM.     In lieu of flowers, Memorials should be directed toward St. Patrick’s School in Sheldon, Iowa or Kindred Hospice at 1370 Lake Street, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360.        Helen was born in Melrose, Iowa on January 20, 1939 to James and Helen (Lally) Shovlain. She attended school in Melrose and graduated in 1957.  After graduation, Helen settled in Des Moines, Iowa where she worked at Ford Company, Allied Inc., Swift and Company, and Massey-Ferguson.  She married her husband, Thomas, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in 1973. They lived in Des Moines, Iowa and later moved to Sibley, Iowa.       Helen was a lifelong devoted Catholic who was active in both the churches she attended, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, Iowa. She was an active parent volunteer at Holy Trinity and joined the St. Mary’s Guild and American Legion Auxiliary upon moving to Sibley.  In her free time, Helen enjoyed cooking, spending time with family, and watching sports.  She loved to watch a good ball game especially if it involved her grandchildren.       Helen will be fondly remembered by her husband of almost 45 years, Tom Kreber, of Sibley; her oldest son, Thomas Kreber Jr. (Carrie); her youngest son, Jerry Kreber (Lindsey), and her grandchildren Cole, Madelyn, Jack, Annabelle, and Amelia. She is survived in death by some beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends.       She is preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Ed Shovlain, Mary Lou Fitzpatrick, Jim Shovlain, Pat Shovlain, and Virgene McManus.       The family would like to thank the Sibley Hospital doctors and nurses for helping battle her illness the last few years. They showed sincere kindness and patience while treating her.  The family would also like to thank the staff of Sibley’s Country View Manor where Helen spent her last days.  The staff showed such a caring attitude toward Helen; it is much appreciated.