Helen V. Clendening

Born in Chicago, Illinois on June 16, 1911
Departed on July 22, 2008. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Helen V. Clendening, 97, a resident of Garnett Place, died there Tuesday July 22, 2008 due to age related causes. Services: 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories by the Rev. William B. Harnish. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. and after 10:00 a.m. at the chapel on Saturday.
Survivors include three children, Nancy Royce Baker of Hiawatha, Karl Cheryl Clendening III of Roanoke, Virginia; and Gary Kathy Clendening of Boulder, Co; eight grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Karl on April 12, 2004; a daughter Barbara on June 24, 1992; and a sister Mary.
Helen was born June 16, 1911 in Chicago, Illinois to Harry Earl and Julia McIntyre Yearick. She grew up in Chicago and married George Ottersen. They had two daughters Nancy and Barbara. She was divorced and moved with her children to her parents home town, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She then met the love of her life, Karl Clendening Jr and on September 23, 1939 they were married. They had two sons; Karl III and Gary. Karl adopted both Nancy and Barbara.
Helen loved life and laughter. She especially loved her family and friends. She was active in the schools PTA programs and was a Cub Scout Leader. From childhood on, her favorite thing to do was to have a picnic in the park where family and friends would gather together. She was an excellent cook, and her house was always beautifully decorated and clean. Her sewing machine was always busy with mending, creating clothes for her family, making elaborate costumes for parties, drapes for her window, and slip covers for her furniture. She played all kinds of card games, but Bridge was her favorite. She belonged to one bridge club for over 60 years. She enjoyed fishing and never came home empty handed. Her hands were always busy with painting pictures, needlepoint or crocheting. She supplied all her relatives and many friends with afghan. She and Karl traveled all over the United States in their trailer and took the time to visit all places of interest. If they took the wrong road while traveling, she'd smile and call it "adventure". She loved to tell a good joke and always had one ready for a friend, or at a meeting. There wasn't much she couldn't do when she pet her mind to it.
We, her children, have been blessed to have had her as our Mother and Friend for so many years. We know she was tired after a full life of 97 years and she wanted to be reunited with her loving husband Karl and her beloved daughter Barbara. We will never forget the unconditional love she gave to all of us. We will proudly and lovingly hold her in our hearts forever.

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Cemetery