Helen Lockridge

HELEN LOCKRIDGE

North English

Helen Louise Lockridge died Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at English Valley Care Center, North English, at age 82.

Helen was born Oct. 2, 1931, in Washington County, Iowa, the daughter of Emmett and Laura (Cox)

Smothers. She graduated from North English High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa and William Penn. Louise was united in marriage to James Robert Lockridge on March 14, 1953, in Sigourney, Iowa. She taught at the North English Elementary School and was later a custodian at the University of Iowa for 18 years, retiring in 1993. She lived in the North English community her entire life.

Louise was a member of the Community Church, Deep River, where she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and was involved in the children's activities. She enjoyed canning, sewing, reading and traveling, but she truly loved teaching the kids and home schooling her own children.

She is survived by her husband, Jim of North English; four children, Steve Lockridge of Ranier, Ore., Linda Lockridge of Iowa City, Kay Lockridge Harland and husband Steve of Kalona and Jane Lockridge of North Eng-lish; a grandson, Tyler Harland; two great-grand-children, Raevyn and Jep Harland; a brother, Clifford Smothers of Williamsburg; and a sister, JoAnn Davidson of Dubuque.

She was preceded by her parents and four brothers, Arnold Smothers, Richard "Swede" Smothers, Gerald Smothers and Dale Smothers.

Celebration of Life service will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 17, at Powell Funeral Home, North English. Pastor Lester Zook will officiate. Burial will be in North English Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial fund has been established for Community Church, Deep River.

Messages and tributes may be left at www.powell funeralhomes.com under obituaries.