Mathis Helen, Mathis Helen

Helen Mathis, 91, of Center Point, died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services: 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor John Morrison. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. today at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Center Point. Burial: Center Point Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, I. Dale Mathis of Center Point; sons, Edwin (Marlys) Mathis, Milton-Freewater, Ore., Vern (Kathleen) Mathis, Maple Grove, Minn., and Norman (Cheryl) Mathis, Redlands, Calif.; six grandchildren, Jillayne (Ray) Mertens, Chad (Carmen), Rebecca, Luke, Eric and Michael; a great-granddaughter, Jaycee Mertens; and a brother, Harold (Irene) Bliss, Eldon, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Leslie Bliss.

Helen was born Sept. 20, 1918, the daughter of Robert and Iva May (Hurley) Bliss, near Marion, Iowa. She attended Millwood country schools for eight years. Helen moved with her family to a farm three miles northwest of Center Point in 1932. A 1936 graduate of Center Point High School, she attended and graduated from Union College in Lincoln, Neb., in 1944 with her B.A. degree. Helen taught Linn County country school (Plain Park) for two years. On July 13, 1944, she was united in marriage to I. Dale Mathis in Center Point. Helen worked as a social worker for 17 years at the Department of Human Services in Cedar Rapids. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Helen enjoyed cooking and was known for her incredible pies. A very patient person, she loved to travel and was always helping others.

Memorials may be directed to 3 ABN, P.O. Box 907, Loma Linda, CA 92354, in memory of Helen.

Please sign the online guest book for Helen at    under obituaries.