Kelso, Helen F.

Helen F. Kelso, 97, a resident of Northbrook Manor Care Center, formerly of Marion, died Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial: Troy Mills Cemetery.

Helen was born April 21, 1915, near Troy Mills, Iowa, to James and Josie (Dudley) Powell. She attended country school through the eighth grade and went on to graduate from Walker High School, where she met her future husband, Ronald Kelso. Ronald and Helen were married in Manchester on May 27, 1939. Ronald died shortly after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In the early years of marriage, Helen worked as a wallpaper hanger. Later, she became head cook at Walker Consolidated School. When Ronald and Helen moved to Cedar Rapids, she went to work with Collins Radio, from where she retired.

Helen was a member of Kenwood Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Walker American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed watching all sports. Helen took up golf at the age of 46, and delighted in recounting her “hole-in-one” game for years. She loved to sew and crochet gifts for her family, friends and various organizations.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers, three sisters, two nieces and one nephew.

She is survived by seven nieces and seven nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Walker American Legion Auxiliary or St. Luke's Hospice in Helen's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Helen at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 3, 2013.