Visitation will begin after 12 noon on Friday, August 19, 2016, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of
Mt. Pleasant, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at Salem Friends Church, with Pastor Jared Haley, officiating. Burial will be in Salem East Cemetery. Gifts of love and friendship may be given to Salem Friends Church or Salem First Responders. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Born April 2, 1923, on the family farm, seven miles north of Stockport, IA, Helen Marie was the daughter of Cleo and Mamie Wilson Watson. She was a 1941graduate of Stockport High School. On July 21, 1943, she married Harold Syfert in Ottumwa, IA. He preceded her in death on October 15, 2006.

Following high school Helen worked for neighbors taking care of the elderly. At the time of her marriage, Helen became a farm wife and worked to help her husband on the family farm. Family was a priority for Helen, and she enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She had a large vegetable garden, canned many vegetables each year, and liked crocheting and embroidering. Helen attended Salem Friends Church.

Living in the rural Salem area until 1976, Helen and her husband left farming and moved to Fairfield, IA. In 1982, the couple returned to Hillsboro and lived there until the time of her husband's death. Helen then moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2006, and lived at The Willows, prior to her move to Park Place Elder Care three years ago.

Helen is survived by two sons, Carroll ‏(Jeanette)‏ Syfert of Salem, IA, and Doyle ‏(Nancy)‏ Syfert of Salem, IA; a brother, Virgil ‏(Darlene)‏ Watson of Fairfield, IA; and a sister Eileen Harper of Fairfield, IA. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Along with her loving husband, Harold, Helen was preceded in death by a daughter, Louise Pickard; a son-in-law, Richard Pickard; and a brother, Melvin Watson.

Helen was born April 2, 1923, on the family farm, seven miles north of Stockport, IA, Helen Marie was the daughter of Cleo and Mamie Wilson Watson. She was a 1941graduate of Stockport High School. On July 21, 1943, she married Harold Syfert in Ottumwa, IA. He preceded her in death on October 15, 2006.

Following high school Helen worked for neighbors taking care of the elderly. At the time of her marriage, Helen became a farm wife and worked to help her husband on the family farm. Family was a priority for Helen, and she enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She had a large vegetable garden, canned many vegetables each year, and liked crocheting and embroidering. Helen attended Salem Friends Church.

Living in the rural Salem area until 1976, Helen and her husband left farming and moved to Fairfield, IA. In 1982, the couple returned to Hillsboro and lived there until the time of her husband's death. Helen then moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2006, and lived at The Willows, prior to her move to Park Place Elder Care three years ago.

Helen M. Syfert was born April 2, 1923, on the family farm, seven miles north of Stockport, IA, Helen Marie was the daughter of Cleo and Mamie Wilson Watson. She was a 1941graduate of Stockport High School. On July 21, 1943, she married Harold Syfert in Ottumwa, IA. Following high school Helen worked for neighbors taking care of the elderly. At the time of her marriage, Helen became a farm wife and worked to help her husband on the family farm. Family was a priority for Helen, and she enjoyed cooking and baking for them. She had a large vegetable garden, canned many vegetables each year, and liked crocheting and embroidering. Helen attended Salem Friends Church. Living in the rural Salem area until 1976, Helen and her husband left farming and moved to Fairfield, IA. In 1982, the couple returned to Hillsboro and lived there until the time of her husband's death. Helen then moved to Mt. Pleasant in 2006, and lived at The Willows, prior to her move to Park Place Elder Care in 2013.
Source: Excerpts from Helen's obituary.