Warner, Helen Emma Hannah

Helen Emma Hannah Warner, 99, died Oct. 16, 2012, at the Mechanicsville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. A memorial service will be held at the Community United Methodist Church in Olin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Following the service, there will be a gathering to share memories/stories and fellowship at the church. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Survivors include daughter-in-law, Sharley Laetare; grandson, Walter (Trish) Laetare; great-grandchildren, Megan (Sam) Moore, Colton and Mikayla Laetare; and a great-great-grandson, Landon Moore, all of which live in the Olin area. She also had many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edmund (Dick) Laetare in 1958; her only son, Marlin (Marlie) Laetare in 2001; her only granddaughter, Crystal Laetare in 1984; sisters, Alice Laetare and Clarice Kell; brother, Floyd Groth; and a very special friend, William Earles in 1993.

Helen was born Aug. 24, 1913, to Paul and Frances (Benischek) Groth. She grew up in the Olin area, attending school through the 8th grade until she had to stay home and take care of family members and her elders. Helen was confirmed in the Olin United Methodist Church. On Dec. 22, 1933, she married Edmund (Dick) Laetare and they lived their entire life in the Olin-Hale area. Helen worked at the Anamosa Egg Plant and Clinton Engines in Maquoketa, where she retired in 1975.

She enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, fishing, visiting, and most of all, doing anything with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always looked very forward to all family events, holidays, and reunions.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Olin Community United Methodist Church or one of the volunteer organizations that helped her throughout the years; she appreciated the warm, caring service she received from the Olin, Oxford Junction, Mechanicsville and Midland ambulances as well as the Volunteer Services of Cedar County. The family also asks that you consider giving the “Gift of Life” by donating blood, registering your bone marrow, or organ donation.

Online condolences may be left at under obituaries.

Published Oct. 19, 2012 in The Gazette