Helen Frances Cahalan Strickland

Born in Cedar Rapids, IA on August 28, 1925
Departed on January 12, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Helen Frances Cahalan Strickland, 83, a resident of the Keystone Cedars, formerly of 2311 B Ave. NE. died Monday Jan. 12, 2009 at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha from complications from a recent stroke and a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Funeral Mass: 10:00 AM on Thursday at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Rev. Mark Osterhaus will officiate. Inurnment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday where there will be a rosary at 5:30 PM and a vigil service at 6:00 PM. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include four sons, Gordy (Chris) of Rochester, MN. Bob, Jim and Joseph (Patty) all of Cedar Rapids, two daughters, Ann (Tom) Stark of St. Paul, MN, and Deedee (Donny) Nadeau of Winona, MN, two brothers, Albert (Fran) Cahalan of Arizona and John (Kay) Cahalan of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Elizabeth Stourac of Tampa, Florida and Marlene ( Kenneth) Millsap of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Steve, Danny, Corey, Katie, and Kyle Strickland, Meghan, Danny, and Michelle Stark, and Andy and Joey Nadeau; six great grandchildren, Shannon, Brady, Connor, Logan, Riley and Ava Strickland. She was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Risdal and infant daughter, Mary Helen.

Helen was a life long resident of Cedar Rapids. She was born on Aug. 28, 1925 to Albert and Kathyrn Cahalan. She graduated, class valedictorian from St. Patrick’s High School in 1943. She married Gordon S. Strickland in 1946, he died in 1981. Helen attended St Matthew Catholic Church for over fifty years where she was actively involved in the choir and played the church organ. Helen was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Atlanta Braves, Notre Dame and Xavier High School. She loved to run and won many medals for her age division. At the age of 76 she won first place in the mile race in Lincoln, Nebraska with a time of 10:02. She loved to watch her grandchildren compete in sports. Helen was employed by Rockwell-Collins for 24 years. She was well traveled in the U.S. and enjoyed going to Colorado, Minnesota as well as traveling to Europe and loved Ireland.

She was proud of living in Cedar Rapids and very proud of her Irish heritage. She loved her family dearly and was always there to help. Helen was a lady of strong faith and loved her church. She had a great sense of humor that endured to the end.

Helen lived the last few years at Keystone Cedars where she made many new friends. We are grateful for the care she received there. Helen touched many lives and will be truly missed. She is now at home in Heaven with Jesus where she will continue to guide and protect us. “God bless you Gonga”

Memorial donations may be given to St. Matthew Catholic Church or the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Helen’s name.

Visitation

Service

Cemetery