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Sannes, Helen Dora (Counter)
Helen Dora (Counter) Sannes, 71, was welcomed into the Kingdom of God on Nov. 11, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma cancer. Helen passed away at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be Monday, Nov. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion and one hour before services at the church. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Noelridge Park Church, 1147 Clifton St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, with the Rev. Richard Marsceau officiating.
Helen was born May 17, 1940, in Avon, Minn., to George (Sr.) and Emma (Braun) Counter. She graduated from Albany High School. Helen married Lyle Sannes Sr. on May 12, 1962, in Albany, Minn. The family arrived in Marion in 1967 via train and raised five children. Helen worked for many years at Wells Fargo Bank in Cedar Rapids, where she built lasting relationships with her colleagues and customers.
Helen will be remembered as a gardener of life: she loved her flowers, her cardinals, her family, her friends, and her Lord. She was an active member of Noelridge Park Church in Cedar Rapids and First United Methodist Church in Marion.
Survivors include her loving husband of 49 years, Lyle Sannes; four daughters, Lana (Roger) Haddy of Phoenix, Ariz., Lynda (Scott) Stephens of Marion, Laurie (Jon) Symonds of Denver, Colo., and Lisa Sannes of Phoenix; eight grandchildren, Ethan Haddy, Spencer and Alex Stephens, Britney, Corey, Brody, and Cody Symonds and Savannah Adams; two great-grandchildren, Aubrey Symonds and Brayden Brummer; a sister, Johanna (Lee) Richardson of Fayetteville, N.C.; and special to the family, Stephanie Adams of Kansas City, Kan.
She was preceded in death by her son, Lyle Sannes Jr.; and her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wells Fargo Bank, 3570 First Ave. NE,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 in Helen's memory.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Weisenfeld and the staff at Oncology Associates, St. Luke's Hospice and the “angels” at 5C-St. Luke's Hospital, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and the many doctors, nurses, and friends who assisted Helen and her family on her journey.
Please sign the online guest book for Helen at under obituaries.
Published Nov. 13, 2011, in The Gazette
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