Otten, Helen

Helen Otten, 85, died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at the Monticello Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Darryl Larson will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Surviving are two stepchildren, Edward Otten, Coralville, and Pamela (Kenneth) Humpal, Anamosa; four stepgrandchildren, Douglas (Lori) Otten, Amy (Terry) Ira, Kerri (Fr. John) Abraham and Jason (Andrea) Schoenbeck; and 14 stepgreat-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ernest Husmann and Lawrence Otten; a brother, Kenneth Ahlrichs; and a sister, Elaine Helgens.

Helen Mae Ahlrichs was born Nov. 9, 1925, in Castle Grove Township, Jones County, Iowa. She was the daughter of William H. and Frieda H. Geyken Ahlrichs. She received her education in the Monticello Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1944. Helen then was employed at Edwards Department Store.

She married Ernest W. Husmann on Feb. 9, 1948. The couple farmed in the Coggon and Ryan area, before his death on Jan. 29, 1959. Helen then returned to Monticello and resumed her career at Edwards Department Store. Helen Ahlrichs Husmann and Lawrence Henry Otten were married on Nov. 6, 1960, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. The couple lived for a brief time in Anamosa before returning to Monticello. Helen retired on Jan. 1, 1992. Lawrence preceded her in death on Nov. 18, 1993.

Helen was a life long member of the Lutheran Church. She was baptized on Dec. 6, 1925, at S.S. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church, Castle Grove and confirmed her faith on May 30, 1943 at St. Johns Lutheran Church.