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Monday, May 19, 2014
Halsch, Helen S.
Helen S. Halsch of Iowa City and Cosgrove, died peacefully at Legacy Pointe, Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at St. Pater's Catholic Church in Cosgrove with Father Edmund Dunn officiating. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the St. Patrick's Church Social Hall, 4330 St. Patrick's Dr., Iowa City, where a rosary and vigil service will be recited at 5:45 p.m. Burial will be at St. Peter's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Regina Foundation or to Iowa City Hospice.
Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service.
Helen was born in Oxford, the daughter of James and Marguerite Kessler Flannery. She was raised on a farm south of Oxford. Helen was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High Schoolin Davenport and received a degree from Ottumwa Heights College. On June 16, 1949, Helen married Joseph Halsch at St. Mary's Church in Oxford. Helen and Joe farmed for many years south of Iowa City. Helen had also taught in North English and Willow Grove.
Helen was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, where she had taught religious education and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed playing Bridge with the Double D Club, traveling and attending Regina and Hawkeye football and basketball games. Most important to Helen was her family.
Survivors include her nine children, Joseph (Mary Lou) Halsch, Ann (Scott) Kessler, Kate (Dean) Schott and Pat (Becky) Halsch, all of Iowa City, Terry (Susan) Halsch of Hopkins, Minn., Tom (Patti) Halsch of Des Moines, Jim (Susan) Halsch of Greensboro, N.C., Margee (Dave) Shearer of Austin, Texas and David (Jamie) Halsch of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; her sister, Marita McGurk Eicher of Iowa City; sisters-in-law, Pauline Flannery of Iowa City and Catherine Mattes of Washington; 22 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and extended family.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe in 2005; her son, Gerald; and her brothers, James and Robert.
Online condolences may be sent to her family at .
Published in The Gazette Dec. 15, 2013.