Abel, Helen F.

Helen F. Abel, 95, formerly of Anamosa, died Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at the Judson Park Health Center in Des Moines, Wash. Graveside committal service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 10, at Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa. A memorial mass will follow the committal service at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Anamosa. Father Wayne Droessler will officiate at the service. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa.

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Surviving are her children, Arthur (Bette) Abel of Seattle, Wash., and Elaine Curtis of Clearwater, Fla.; grandson, Dwight Curtis of Seattle, Wash.; granddaughter, Erin (Chris) Stampe of Seattle, Wash.; and great-grandson, Liam Stampe of Seattle, Wash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frederic; and her son, James.

Helen Fellinger was born June 27, 1915, in North Weymouth, Mass., the daughter of Philip and Teresa de la Guardia Fellinger. One of seven siblings, she grew up in East Orange, N.J., where she and Frederic Nathan Abel were united in marriage on May 21, 1938.

Helen had a long career as a registered nurse. Following her completion of nursing school in Greenwich, Conn., she worked as a young nurse in hospitals in Connecticut and New Jersey. After moving with her family to Anamosa during World War II, she worked at the old Mercy Hospital in Anamosa for several years and then for many years at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, until her retirement in 1980.

As citizens of Anamosa, she and her husband were active participants in parent support organizations for the Camp Fire Girls, Little League Baseball and the Band Boosters. She was also an active parishioner of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She loved the outdoors and sporting activities and was particularly fond of small children and animals. She was a lifelong avid reader who always stayed well abreast of politics and current events. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling and took advantage of opportunities in retirement to visit and experience new places both in the United States and abroad. She lived life to the fullest and enjoyed it for as long as she could, which was far longer than most. She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen's name to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.