Helene Elizabeth Ottsen

Born in Postville, IA on August 10, 1912
Departed on October 29, 2008. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Helene Elizabeth Louise Ottsen, 96, of Cottage Grove Place, died Wednesday October 29, 2008 in St. Luke’s Hospital following a brief illness. A service of memory will be held on Saturday at Christ Episcopal Church, with visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. The Rev. David Ottsen will officiate. A reception will follow at Cottage Grove Place in the Oak Room. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Born August 10, 1912 to C. Fred and Emma Eggert Meier in Postville, Iowa. She graduated from Postville High School in 1930 and graduated from Coe Colleage in 1934 magna cum laude. She married Kenneth B. Ottsen in Cedar Rapids on September 12, 1936. At Coe College, Helene was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, Crescent and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies. She and Ken were founding members of St. Michaels (now Christ Episcopal Church) where she was a member of the Sacristan and Alter Guild and was a Sunday school teacher. Helene was a member of the Home Garden Club, IF Chapter of PEO and enjoyed playing bridge with friends for many years. She loved and enjoyed her family and friends immensely and gave unselfishly of herself to them at them at every opportunity.

Survivors include three daughters, Susan G. Thompson (Jack H. Jr.) of Dallas, Texas, Karen L. Gardiner (Donald B.) of Columbus, Ohio, Deborah Brunel (Jean L.P.) of Bonita Springs, Florida, a son, Richard Ottsen (Susan) of Baton Rouge, LA, eleven grandchildren, Chris Thompson of Dallas, Texas, Carolyn Thompson Goelzer (Paul) of Dallas, Texas, Michael Gardiner (Wendy) of Chicago, Illinois, Scott Gardiner (Christy) of Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Gardiner Massarelli (John) of Leesburg, Virginia, Karen Brunel Lafargue (Mathieu) Bordeaux, France, Pierre Brunel, San Francisco, California, Thierry Brunel (Kelly) Washington DC. Emmanuelle Brunel of Edina, Minnesota, Peter Ottsen and Kevin Ottsen of Baton Rouge, LA; great grandchildren, Bryan, Kyle and Sarah Gardiner of Columbus, Ohio, Morgan, Abigail and Nicholas Massarelli of Cincinnati, Ohio, Elizabeth and Sophie of Goelzer of Dallas, Texas, nieces; Mary Searls, Carol Eberling, Sandra Davis, nephews; Charles Eberling, Ron Ottsen and David Ottsen.

Memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church Mission Fund, 220 40th St NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.

Visitation

Service