Helen Gordon

HELEN JEAN GORDON

Iowa City

Helen Jean Gordon, 79, a lifelong resident of Iowa City, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, at the home of her daughter, Mary Beth Gordon Kokjohn, in Clinton, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home, Iowa City, with the Rev. Dr. Barrie Tritle officiating. Visitation will be after 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery Friday at 10:00 a.m.

Helen was born on Jan. 25, 1936, in Iowa City, the daughter of Jack and Virginia Yanaush. She graduated from Iowa City High School in 1954. Helen married Robert E. Gordon June 9, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Iowa City. Robert passed away Nov. 24, 1980.

Helen worked at Northwestern Bell and Oral-B before she became a mother and raised her two children, Steve and Mary Beth, with her husband, "Bob." Together they gave their children numerous outdoor experiences, including tent camping throughout the U.S., picnic potlucks at the Housel farm, gardening, and made homemade popsicles for all the neighbors to enjoy.

Following her husband's death, she began to create a wonderful life for herself. She re-entered the workforce by becoming a cashier in the business office at the University of Iowa for 18 years. Soon she became an avid Hawkeye fan, and eventually followed all sports, but especially the Hawks and St. Louis Cardinals. She continued her passion of the U.S. and overseas travel through the Friends of Hills Bank and Trust, took bus trips to play the slot machines at area casinos, and enjoyed her long conversations with her best friend, Nancy Petersen.

A very special thank-you to Bill and Jenny Anciaux and Doug and Sandy Vollstedt, who made it possible for her to stay in her home until this past year, when she moved to Legacy Assisted Living.

Helen is survived by her mother, Virginia Vae Yanaush; son, Steve M. Gordon and his children, Avery and Aria; daughter, Mary Beth Kokjohn and her children, Rebecca, Christina and Jacquelyn; great-grandson, Owen, Rebecca's son; nephew, Todd A. (Karla) Smith and their children. Megan, Jared (Kelsey), Kathryn and Kailyn; and niece, Heather L. (Dana) Holeman.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Gordon; father, Jack Yanaush; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Le Smith; and son-in-law, Bruce W. Kokjohn.

Memorials in Helen's name may be directed to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital, c/o University of Iowa Foundation, and Mercy Hospice of Clinton, Iowa.

Online condolences may be sent to Helen's family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.