Helen Norem, 85, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013, peacefully at her home in Ames, Iowa. Helen was born May 8, 1928, in Webster City, Iowa, the daughter of Ole P. and Nettie K. (Hanson) Frette. She graduated from Radcliffe High School, Radcliffe, Iowa in 1945.
On December 10, 1949, Helen married Henry Ivan Norem at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They farmed in the Radcliffe area until Ivan's death in August of 1964. Helen remained on the farm until her children graduated from high school and then moved to Ames in 1976. Helen worked a short time at Happy Chef in Story City until she began working for 3M, where she was employed for 20 years, retiring in 1993. During her retirement years, Helen worked in food service, serving 7 years at Char's in south Ames and 8 years at Arby's in Ames. She retired from serving people at the age of 80. Helen cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren; they were by far the most important thing in her life. Helen also enjoyed cross-stitching the Lord's Prayer for family members and crocheting afghans, making approximately 50 afghans for family and friends. Helen was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames, Iowa.
Helen is survived by her 3 children: John (Rachel) Norem of Ames, Iowa, Larry (Jeannine) Norem of Ames, Iowa, and Nancy (Jeff) Kellogg of Sioux City, Iowa. She leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Amy (Ryan) Doehrmann, Hank (Melissa) Norem, Alesha (Pat) Farley, Katie Kellogg and Robert Kellogg; and 7 great grandchildren: Gavin, Madox, Ava, Boston, Claire, Tessi, and Layla; and many nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Ivan Norem; parents Ole P. and Nettie K. Frette; granddaughter Angela K. Norem; brother Francis Frette; sisters Opal (Dick) Payton and Arlene (Lefty) West; half-brothers Elmer, Arthur, and Percy Frette, and half-sisters Agnes Alvestad and Ethel Olson.
A gathering of friends and family will be 5-8 p.m. Friday May 17, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way with a Celebration of life funeral service at 10:30 am. Saturday, May 18, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care. Burial will be at Williams Cemetery Williams, Iowa.
On line condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
We enjoyed getting to know Helen at the many games that she attended for Robert and Katie (especially softball!) She was a great fan and lots of fun! Our sympathy to your family.
We were so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. I will always remember how fun she was at wrestling meets. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I worked with Helen at 3M and she was a hardworking fun person to be with. We had many fun times with the 3M people....she will be missed but remember the fun times they will get you thru this.
Dear Norem Family: There are so memories I have of your Mother and the "Rest of the Frette Clan!" Your Mother was full of fun and always had a joke or two to tell. She loved to cook and WAS GOOD AT IT!!!!! THe memories are PRICELESS AND PRECIOUS!!! You have our deepest sympathy.
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Ames, IA 50010
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