Memorial

Helen Derr of Cedar Rapids died on September 25, 2015, at age 98. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church:  1340 3rd Ave SE Cedar Rapids, IA.  Private family inurnment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Born in Sac County, Iowa, on July 20, 1917, Helen grew up on a farm, the oldest of the four children of Bill and Wilhelmina Stadlman.  Through her 4-H activities, Helen won a trip to Washington DC and a scholarship to Iowa State University.  In her valedictory address to her high school class, she emphasized the way education can open up the world, and she continued learning, through reading, conversation, and travel, throughout her life.  Helen graduated from ISU with a B.S. in Home Economics in 1940, taught school, and married Donald Derr on June 22, 1941.  In 1950 they moved to Bever Avenue in Cedar Rapids, where they lived for nearly forty years.  Helen maintained her friendships from her neighborhood and community activities throughout her long life.  She had a gift for friendship: she was insightful and dependable.  Helen often led the Camp Fire groups that her four daughters were in; she planned wonderful family holidays and hosted innumerable dinners.

As her daughters began leaving for college, Helen started teaching again, first social studies to Atkins and LinnMar students, and then ESL courses through Kirkwood Community College to foreign-born adults.  Helen volunteered at the library at St. Paul’s Methodist Church and was an active member of her circle and of the Family Fellowship class since joining in 1950.  Helen had a moral conscience coupled to a well-informed mind.  She advocated for the underdog and stayed aware of people behind the scenes.  She befriended people who needed support: she helped sponsor a large family from Laos, and she appreciated all she learned from the international community in Cedar Rapids.

Helen read steadily through the years.  She also enjoyed working in her yard, watching college basketball, traveling to visit her children, often in far-flung places, and preparing healthy meals for special occasions as well as day in and day out.  She enhanced the lives of her husband of 47 years, Don, and of her husband of 16 years, Ralph Warner, looking after each of them until the end of their lives.  Helen renewed her driver’s license at 91, shortly after moving into Cottage Grove Place, where she lived in each of their care levels.  Although gradually she lost her ability to speak, she retained until the end of her life her sense of humor and her expressive smile.  Her family is grateful for the personal and respectful care Helen received every day from the staff at the Gardens.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Barbara Drexler (Robert) of Cedar Rapids, Susan Derr of Santa Ana, CA, Nancy Derr of Bethesda, MD, and Janice Derr (Keith) of Potomac, MD; by her sister Beatrice Cummins; by six grandchildren, Michael (Aurelie), Anna (Paul), and Caitlin Drexler (Carmine), Jane Foor (Jamie) and Lawrence Ord (Anna), and Veronica Seder; and by six great-grandchildren, Alex and Allison Foor; Maxim, Marlo, and Clea Drexler, and Josie Cafaro.   Her qualities and values live on in their lives and in the good that she did in her community.

Remembrances may be in the form desired by friends. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.