Werner, Helen Frances Klousia

Helen Frances Klousia Werner, 94, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following a sudden illness. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne. Interment will be in Salem Cemetery near Van Horne. To honor Helen's request, the casket will remain closed and friends may register at the church from 9:30 until service time on Thursday. Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

A memorial fund has been established for Salem United Methodist Church. 

 Helen was born Feb. 23, 1915, in Hampton, Iowa, to Walter J. and Nina (Artley) Klousia, and graduated from Hampton High School in 1932. After high school she attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon and graduated with a double major in home economics and science and a minor in history. While at Cornell she played violin in the orchestra and was active in the Women's Athletic Association, participating in basketball, volleyball and track. She also had a job as a cook in the kitchen and, then, as hostess for the dining hall. After graduating from Cornell in 1936, she took a position in Van Horne teaching high school at the age of 21. She taught home economics, history, physical education, accounting, and science. 

Helen was united in marriage to Leon D. Werner on June 5, 1938, in Hampton, and they celebrated 65 years of marriage until his death. She gave up her teaching career to become a full-time wife and mother. They made their home on the family farm near Van Horne, where they raised their four children. They retired to a house in town in 1977. Since April 2007, she resided at Windsor Manor in Vinton.

 Helen loved the Lord as her personal Savior and was a member of Salem United Methodist Church for 73 years. She served on many committees, taught Sunday school and Bible school, played in the orchestra, led junior choir, and belonged to the Nettie DeWall Circle. She was a charter member of the Van Horne Sewing Club which met monthly for over 50 years. As a devoted mother, she served as a Cub Scout den mother, girls' 4-H leader, Booster Club member, Band Mother, Hot Lunch Committee member, and was a frequent high school declam contest judge. She was a member of the D.A.R, Eastern Star, Pythian Sisters, Farm Bureau Women, and the Republican Party. She also volunteered for the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.

Survivors of this loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother include her four children, James (Connie) Werner of Verona, Wis., William (Wanda) Werner of Spring, Texas, David (Karen) Werner of Van Horne and Janis (James) Werner Rollefson of Brookfield, Wis.; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Jeff) Salaway, Tab (Beverly) Werner, Sheramee (John) Fowler, Stephanie (Gregg) Edmonds, Ryan (Heather) Rollefson, Adam Rollefson and Alexander Rollefson; seven great-grandchildren, Haley, Brandon, Trevor, Tara, Colter, Jack and Michael; her brother, John W. Klousia of Easton, Md.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leon, in 2003; and two sisters,  Ruth and Kathryn.