Helen Pelz

HELEN PELZ

Cedar Rapids

Helen Deloris (Starr) Pelz, 102, a resident of Northbrook Manor Care Center, Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, at the care center. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, with a prayer service beginning at 4 p.m. Graveside services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Blairsburg Cemetery, Blairsburg.

Survivors include her children, Doris Mellinger, Curtis (Beverly) Pelz and Claudette (Jack) Willman; 12 grandchildren, Kathie Lane, Mary James, Jody McMurrin, Susan Rompot, Lori Rogers, Heidi Fields, Renee Carey, Kevin Pelz, Steven Mellinger, Don Mellinger, Greg Mellinger and Kris Mellinger; 25 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews from Nashua and Blairsburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years; parents; sister, Hazel Wilson; brothers, John and Bill Starr; and daughter, E. Deloris Haars.

Helen was born March 19, 1912, in Macomb, Ill., the daughter of John and Elva (Kline) Starr. She married Welston Pelz on Feb. 11, 1937, in Sioux Falls, S.D. During World War II, Helen was a seamstress for JCPenney. She also was a waitress at Boone Docks in Blairsburg for many years.

Helen and Welston had a home in Ontario, Canada, that Welston, Curtis and Wendell built in 1965. They spent many summers there during their retirement years. Helen moved from Ames to Marion in 1995, when she joined the Senior Center, where she enjoyed playing cards, Bingo and dancing. She also enjoyed crocheting and quilting.

Helen was loved and will be greatly missed.

Please share a memory of Helen at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.