Neal, Helen Rose Marie Pitlik

Helen Rose Marie Pitlik Neal, 90, of Mount Vernon, died Thursday, April 15, 2010, surrounded by her family, at Hallmark Care and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services for Helen will be 1 p.m. Monday at Morgan Tribute Center, Mount Vernon. The visitation will be Sunday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the center.

Surviving Helen are her children, Gary (Joanne) of Newport Beach, Calif., Kenneth (Kathy) of Mount Vernon, Sandy (Ron) Williams of Cedar Rapids and Russ (Barb) of Lisbon; 11 grandchildren, Kevin, Mitch, Jon, Jeff, Jenny, Bryan, MacKenzie, Kelly, Jake, Ashley and Ben; six stepgrandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Francis (Jean) Pitlik of Cedar Rapids. Also surviving are two daughters-in-law, Marilyn and Diana, both of Cedar Rapids.

Preceding Helen in death were her parents, Joseph and Mayme Beranek Pitlik; her husband, Denny; two sons, Richard and Donald; and siblings, Florence Bridges, Margaret Woods and Jack Pitlik.

Helen was born Sept. 3, 1919, on the family farm near Ivanhoe, where she attended country school. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1937. Helen married Denny Neal on Aug. 14, 1937, in Lisbon. Helen served on the board and was a trustee and treasurer for the Franklin Township. She was a member of the neighborhood Friendship Club for many years.

Helen loved her flower gardens and shared plants with neighbors and friends. She was a self-taught artist and enjoyed painting and craft work. Helen and Denny traveled extensively during their retirement.

Helen will always be remembered for her love for family and devotion to running the family farm. 

A memorial fund in Helen's honor has been established.

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