grave import

Obituary

Helene Evelyn (Ogden) Sleeter, 101, of Burlington, IA, died at GRMC Hospice House on Monday morning, Nov. 14, 2011. Born on Jan. 29, 1910, in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Wallace C. and Marie Christina Nielson Ogden. She married Franklin Charles Sleeter on Aug. 12, 1939, at Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington, Iowa. Helene had ten years of private voice lessons when she became the first vocal music teacher at Horace Mann Junior High School when it opened in 1931. Later she taught upper grade music in several different elementary schools, specialized in remedial reading both for the grades and privately. She taught kindergarten at Grimes and Salter schools when her husband was in World War II. She was a private voice teacher for over 50 years, and was a prominent soloist in Burlington. At one time she was both the director and contralto of the quartet at the Congregational Church. Active in Grace United Methodist Church since 1925, she had served in all areas of the church, including choir director, high school girls Sunday School teacher, and later with her husband taught the young married couples class known as the Veritas Class, and was one of the church's oldest members. She was one of the original members of the Treble Clef Club, a member of the Retired Teachers Association, AARP and RSVP for whom she knitted over 150 baby caps for the hospital. She was a forty-year member of P.E.O. Chapter P where she had served as President. She also served as the Woman's Society President for four years, was the first woman to be a member of the Board of Trustees with nine men. Helene and her husband loved flowers, and one year they earned the "City Beautiful Contest" for the flower gardens at their home at 1314 S. Starr. Her life was devoted to her home and family, to her service at Grace Church, and to her voice students and their progress. She is survived by one foster son, Ken Pfeiff of Burlington, IA; one niece, Marily McCrory of Burlington, IA; two great-nephews, John McCrory of Atkins, IA and Eric McCrory of TX; and two special friends, Delores Pint and Deloris Hecox, both of Burlington, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister. Funeral services for Helene Evelyn (Ogden) Sleeter will be held on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, Burlington, Iowa. Pastor Trevor Davis will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Grace United Methodist Church. A memorial has been established for Grace United Methodist Church for Music Scholarships.