Helen Mae Gerdes
Born: November 15th, 1927
Died: September 30th, 2011
Obituary
Helen Mae Gerdes, 83, of Burlington, died at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington, IA, on Friday, September 30, 2011, at 11:21 a.m. Born on November 15, 1927, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Harry and Nellie Siefken Hansen. She married William T. Gerdes on August 11, 1982, in Roaring Springs, PA. He died on September 29, 1993. Helen received her Associates degree from Burlington Junior College, her Bachelors degree from Iowa State Teachers College, and her Masters degree from Colorado State College of Education. She taught music and elementary education for 40 years at Saunderson and Black Hawk Schools in Burlington. She also taught Children's Literature at Southeastern Community College for 10 years. She was also a Master Gardener. She was a member of Chapter P of PEO, Retired School Personnel Association, National Education Association, Historical Society and Friends of the Library. She was a very active member of Oak Street Baptist Church as a teacher, historian and hand bell director. In addition to her family, Helen was kept company by her beloved Border Collie, Max; a long-haired cat named Mittens; and the Belgian horses in the pasture. Helen is survived by three step-children, Bill (Judy) Gerdes of Burlington, Sue (Bob) Leonard of San Miguel, Mexico, and Becky Guenther of Salt Lake City, UT; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. Funeral services for Helen Mae Gerdes will be held on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Street Baptist Church, Burlington, Iowa. Chaplain Randy Gearhart will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Friends may call after 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, with the family receiving friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. in Prugh's Chapel. A memorial has been established for Oak Street Baptist Church.