Hart (Fleming), Helen Jane

Helen Jane Hart (Fleming) passed on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

Helen was born Nov. 18, 1918, in Drakesville, Davis County, Iowa, to Wray Fleming and Hazel LaRue Townsend. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1935 and then attended Bloomfield Normal School for two years to become a schoolteacher, graduating in 1937. She met Harold Atkinson while teaching in Udell, Iowa and subsequently married him in 1939. They farmed in Appanoose County and they had four children: Kendall, Jo Anne, Joe Dean and Stephen. Harold had medical problems and as a consequence they left farming, moving first to Centerville and then to Des Moines in 1948.

Helen returned to teaching in the early 1950s. She also returned to college, obtaining her B.A. degree from Drake University in 1959. Soon after returning to teaching, she was assigned to Smouse Elementary School, a special education school for students with physical and mental handicaps. She undertook studies in special education at Drake University, doing well at it, and she continued teaching at Smouse until her retirement in 1983.

Harold Atkinson died in 1973, a major loss in her life, but she continued on and established a new life for herself, marrying Lawrence “Larry” Hart in 1976. In 1989, they retired to Bella Vista, Ark., enjoying the weather, golf and the company of friends. Helen suffered for 30 years from Parkinson's disease and Larry also had medical problems. As a consequence, they moved in 2001 to Windmill Pointe in Coralville (Iowa City) to be nearer to family. Larry died in January 2003 and in late 2005, Helen moved to Bickford Cottage, an assisted living facility, in Iowa City. She developed friendships with other residents of Bickford Cottage, and she especially was happy to call as friends the staff of Bickford Cottage.

Helen enjoyed traveling, including cruises in the Caribbean and to Hawaii, and she enjoyed visiting her widespread family. For many years she enjoyed playing golf and bowling, and she was quite good at both of them, ceasing play eventually due to her Parkinson's disease. She also enjoyed following the Chicago Cubs and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.

Helen is survived by a sister, Charlotte Waybill, and a brother, Wilbur Fleming (Donna), and their families. She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. She is also survived by her four children and spouses, Kendall and Alice Atkinson of Iowa City, Jo Anne and Ray Cooper of Vincent, Ala., Joe Dean and Irene Atkinson of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Stephen and Sandra Atkinson of San Antonio, Texas. In addition she is survived by 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by the four children of Lawrence Hart: Linda Thomas (Wilber) of St Louis, Jeannie Huber (Ron) of Des Moines, Roy Hart of Bettendorf and Lawrence Hart of Des Moines, along with their families.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Lensing's Oak Hill Funeral Home, 210 Holiday Rd., Coralville, with the Rev. Maury Campbell officiating. Visitation will be after 8:30 a.m. Friday. Graveside Committal will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines.

The family of Helen Hart expresses their deep appreciation for the care that she has received from the staff of Bickford Cottage, Iowa City Hospice, and the gerontology group at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

For contributions in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published Aug. 1, 2013 in The Gazette