Helen Marine

HELEN LUCILLE MARINE

Williamsburg

Helen Lucille Marine died March 28, 2021, just as red-winged blackbirds had returned to Iowa. She was born Nov. 21, 1922, in rural Washington County, the second of six children of Alvin and Elsie Hightshoe.

Helen eloped with Marion Marine. They told their parents that they were going to visit cousins, but got married in Kahoka, Mo., on Feb. 14, 1943. When they returned, they went back to their parents' homes as though nothing had happened. The cat was out of the bag when the marriage license arrived a week later and Marion's mother opened the mail.

Helen was encouraged to become a teacher by her beloved mentor, Mrs. Cecil Miller. After completing Normal Training at age 19, Helen taught country school in rural Iowa and Washington counties. Some of her first students were her siblings. "Mrs. Marine" also taught 10 years in Daytonville and 26 at Mid-Prairie Elementary in Wellman. Her career spanned 43 years and several generations of students. She always said second grade was her favorite because the children were so eager to learn.

Her students will remember fondly the fall unit on the pioneers. Everyone got to try printing with turkey quill pens dipped in elderberry ink. There were drip candles to make, and fruits and vegetable to slice and dry, just like in the olden days.

Helen got her B.A. and M.A. in education at the University of Iowa, the culmination of years of Saturday, evening and correspondence courses. When she got home from teaching, there were farm chores, grading papers, lesson plans and her own studying that lasted into the night. Her favorite farming chore was cultivating corn and beans. She watched for killdeer feigning a broken wing and always tripped out the cultivator to spare their nest.

Helen was a life member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Wellman. She served as president of Delta Kappa Gamma of Washington County and president of the Washington County Retired Teachers. She was a trustee of the Wellman-Scofield Public Library.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Elaine (Dennis) Shalla; and granddaughters, Hilary Shalla (Derek Strong) of Newport Beach, Calif., and Elyssa Shalla (Matt Jenkins) of North Rim Grand Canyon, Ariz. Also surviving are sisters, Mary Seydel, Martha (Mel) Schemmel and Lorraine (Dick) Turnipseed.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years; her two brothers and their spouses, Clarence (Alda) Hightshoe and Wayne (Dorothy) Hightshoe; and brothers-in-law, John Bollinger and Sy Seydel.

There will be a graveside service at the Wellman Cemetery for immediate family. Memorials may be directed to the Wellman-Scofield Library or Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Highland Ridge Care Center who shared their love and care for Mom.