English, Helen May (Bushnell)

Helen May (Bushnell) English, 97, of Cottage Grove Place, Cedar Rapids, passed from this life to her eternal home on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, after suffering a short illness. A Mass of Celebration of her life will be held at St. Matthew's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, by the Rev. David Beckman. There will be no visitation. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Ryan, Iowa, at a future date. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Helen was a loving mother of three, David (Mary) English, Beverlee (Mike) Valant and Mark (Karon Warner) English; grandmother of five, Joni (Bret) Throlson, Chris (Jeri) English, Tracie (Matt) Chute, Amy (Doug) Andersen and Kristin (David) Scott; and great-grandmother of nine, Jason Throlson, Austin and Cory English, Austin and Hannah Chute, Katlyn and McKenna Andersen, and Christian and Owen Scott.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo; her son, Mark, who died in Vietnam; daughter-in-law, Mary English; seven brothers; two sisters, and many wonderful friends.

Helen was born Dec. 17, 1913, in rural Manchester, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Reba Bushnell. She married Leo English on Sept. 21, 1936, a union which lasted 48 years until Leo's death in 1984. Helen was employed by Collins Radio Co., retiring in 1975. She was very proud to be a charter member of St. Pius X Parish until joining St. Matthew Parish in 2006. She will be fondly remembered for her love of God, family and friends, her untiring zest for life, and a good game of 500 - any time, any place. Helen takes with her a part of us and we will miss her greatly.

Our very special thanks to the wonderful staff at Cottage Grove who took such loving care of our mother and grandmother.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made to St. Matthew Parish, Cottage Grove Place or Mercy Hospice in Helen's memory.

Fly … fly … fly away so high - thank you, thank you … the wind beneath my wings.

God's speed, Helen May.

Please sign the online guest book for Helen at  under obituaries.