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Helen Novotny
HELEN NOVOTNY
Walker
Helen Novotny, 93, of Walker, Iowa, passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at Living Center West in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at United Methodist Church in Walker. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at the church with an additional visitation an hour prior to service. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family. A livestream of Helen's funeral service will be available on Walker United Methodist Facebook page.
Survivors include her son, Terry and wife Ann; grandchildren, Andrew (Jill), Ryan and Kristin; and great-grandchildren, Jackson and Caleb.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; son, Richard (Rick); granddaughter, Lynne; great-grandson, Noah; and brother, Max.
Helen was born May 22, 1928, on a farm near Walker, the daughter of Edward and Pearl (Zeller) Fiala. She married Harold Novotny on Aug. 4, 1951, and they were happily married for over 58 years. They began their farming career near Shueyville, Iowa, then farmed by Coggon, Iowa. They purchased Helen's uncle's farm south of Troy Mills, Iowa, in 1955, where they resided until their deaths.
Helen attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she earned a two-year degree in upper elementary education, later she graduated with a BA in elementary education from the University of Northern Iowa.
Helen taught at Strawberry Point, Iowa, Vinton, Iowa, 10 years at Troy Mills, and then 25 years at Walker Elementary (North Linn). Helen retired in 1993 from full time teaching but continued substitute teaching and volunteering in the Walker elementary library for many years. Helen impacted hundreds of children's lives, many of whom told her she was the reason for their teaching careers. She especially enjoyed the card shower for her 90th birthday, where she received cards from friends and past students from all over the country.
Helen was proud of her family and farm. She enjoyed reading (especially historical novels), gardening and taking care of her flowers. Helen and Harold loved their cannas which they grew from the same bulbs for over 60 years.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful nurses and aides that took care of Helen for the past few years at Living Center West.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Please share a memory of Helen at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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