Helen Hollen Red Oak
Helen M. Hollen, 89, of Red Oak, formerly of Creston, died Jan. 22, 2013, at Stanton Care Center.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Presbyterian Church in Red Oak. The Rev. Caryn Pedersen will officiate. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Visitation with family present will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home, 509 N. Sixth St., Red Oak. A memorial is being established in Helen’s name. Online condolences may be left at www.sldfuneralhome.com.
Helen Martha Fils Hollen, daughter of Myrtle (McCornack) and Ed Fils, was born June 11, 1923, on a farm northwest of Creston.
Helen was raised on the farm and attended Spaulding Center No. 5 School through eighth grade. She graduated from Creston High School in 1940. Helen attended William Woods College in Fulton, Mo., until contracting rheumatic fever, and returned to Creston for medical treatment. After recovering, she attended Creston Junior College (nka Southwestern Community College) and graduated in 1943, then furthered her education at Drake University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1945.
After graduation, Helen moved to Chicago, where she was employed at Quaker Oats for a short time. She returned to Creston and substitute taught in Creston Schools 1946-47.
On Aug. 11, 1946, Helen married Robert M. Hollen in Creston. His veterinary career took them to Mexico from 1947-49.
In 1949, they returned to live on Helen’s family farm.
Helen was active in P.E.O., Elziver Reading Circle, Order of the Eastern Star, the Republican Party, First Presbyterian Church and Crestmoor Golf Club.
Beginning in the 1960s, Helen was employed as a sales clerk at Vetterick’s Pharmacy in Creston, occasionally substitute taught for Creston Schools, was manager at Dairy Queen for two years, and later worked at Palm Clothing.
In 2005, Helen’s health problems forced the family to relocate her to Red Oak.
During her time in Red Oak, Helen became active in the Presbyterian Church, Chapter HB of P.E.O. and bridge clubs through P.E.O., and became a member of Red Oak Country Club.
Helen resided at Stanton Care Center on and off when health necessitated it.
Helen is survived by her son John (wife Elaine) Hollen of Red Oak; grandchildren, Kelsey Hollen of Cherokee and Andy (wife Trina) Rea of Omaha, Neb.; great-grandchildren, Amber and Jackson Rea; sister Ruth Jackson of Creston; Ruth’s son Doug (wife Carol) Jackson and their daughter Meredith of West Des Moines; sister-in-law, Margaret (husband Wayne) Stark of Lawndale, Calif.; nieces, Lauri (husband Jim) Drake of Carson and Roxanne (husband Chris) Maples of Reno, Nev.; nephews, Jeff Hollen and Bob Hollen and their families of Newport, Ore.; and Greg Hollen and family of Corvallis, Ore.; many relatives and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Oct. 3, 1989; and family friend Harvey C. Davis, formerly of Orient.
