Haehlen, Bernice Leola (Helbing)

Bernice Leola (Helbing) Haehlen

Bernice Leola (Helbig) Haehlen, 99, of rural Alburnett, died Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Manor Care in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, March 7, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion by the Rev. Nick Longworth. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The casket will be closed at all times.  Burial: Lafayette Cemetery, rural Alburnett.

Survivors include her son, Calvin (Linda) Haehlen; her daughter, Denice Haehlen and friend Bob Garlow; two granddaughters, Janna (Mark) Dierks and Dede (Brian) Eschen; and six great-grandchildren, Jacob Dierks and fiancee Laura Wilberg, Oliver Dierks and fiancee Allyssa Neighbor, Kyan and Noah Dierks and Abbie and Bree Eschen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her sister-in-law, Mildred Haehlen.

Bernice was born Feb. 14, 1914, the daughter of Clarence and Dora (Ritze) Helbig in Linn County. She graduated from Alburnett High School in 1931. Bernice married Alvin Haehlen on Feb. 11, 1939, in Zearing, Iowa. He died in 1995. Bernice worked as a school cook at Toddville Elementary School for many years. She was past matron of Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 183 of Marion and a former member of Lafayette United Methodist Church.

Bernice enjoyed crocheting and was an avid afghan maker. She loved life on the family farm where she had lived for over 75 years. Her family was the most important thing in her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alburnett Foundation, P.O. Box 193, Alburnett, IA 52202, in Bernice's memory.

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

Published in The Gazette March 5, 2013.