Naber, Helen G. (Bell)

Helen G. (Bell) Naber, 73, of Dyersville, formerly of Farley, went home to the Lord, on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 11:15 p.m. at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque, Iowa. Friends and relatives of Helen may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, where a wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Services for Helen G. Naber will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley. Burial will be held in Fairview Cemetery in Farley.

Helen was born Oct. 5, 1937, in Key West, Iowa, daughter of Lorentz and Catherine (Pfohl) Kirpes. She received her elementary education at St. Mary's School in Dubuque. Upon the death of her parents at age 12, she moved to Farley, and attended St. Joseph's School and finished her education at the Farley Public School.

On July 17, 1959, she was united in marriage to John J. Bell in Dubuque, he preceded her in death on April 13, 1984. On Sept. 17, 1999, she was united in marriage to Henry “Hank” G. Naber at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, he preceded her in death on July 12, 2005.

Helen operated Bell's Plants and Flowers in Farley for over 20 years. She was also a teacher associate for 18 years at Western Dubuque School in Farley. She resided in Farley for 40 years until her move to Dubuque in 1990.

She was an avid card player and loved to play scrabble.

She is survived by four daughters, Cathy Sutter of Dubuque, Judith (Marty) Bell-Simon of Manchester, Nancy (Danny) Bell-Weber of Tiffin, and Jane (Mike) Bell-Johnson of Georgetown, Ky.; two sons, Dennis (Sandy) Bell of Indianola, and Kenneth (Sandy) Bell of Wellsburg; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; five sisters, Mary Hilby of Mineral Point, Wis., Jeanette Drenckhahm of Weaver, Minn., Irene Barth of Lakewood, Colo., and Loretta Dawkins and Patricia Kirpes-Zwack both of Dubuque; and two brothers, Ray (Norma Jean) Kirpes and Robert (Alice) Kirpes, both of Dubuque.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Joseph and Charles Kirpes.

Helen dearly loved her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come home always for visits and holidays. She always had a great smile for all whom she met, believing if you smile at someone, you would always get a smile back.

A Helen G. Naber memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .