Mary Helm

MARY YOUNG HELM

Mary Dorine Young Helm, age 86 of Kahoka, MO, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at her home.

She was born August 20, 1927, in Farmington, IA, a daughter of Louis and Evelyn Phillips Briley.

She married Victor E. Young on October 4, 1947 and they were the parents of ten children. He died less than one month before their 40th wedding anniversary on September 27, 1987. She married Clifton C. Helm on December 26, 1992 and he preceded her in death on August 23, 2002. In 2003 she married Richard F. Gregory who preceded her in death on November 4, 2013.

Survivors include her children: Joan (Mrs. Bill) Hayden, Sandra (Mrs. William) Ringenburg, Vickie (Mrs. Donnie) Burks, Ruby "Dodie" Simmons, Evelyn O'Day, Ava Carter,
Dianna Sommers (Mrs. Steve) Toben, all of Kahoka, Rita (Mrs. Vaughn) Barry, of Alexandia, MO and William (Brenda) Young of Kahoka; step-children and their families: Stephen (Janet) Gregory of Webster, FL, David (Charlene) Gregory of Kahoka, MO, Jeanne (Mrs. Daniel) Thies of Jacksonville, IL and Joann (Mrs. Mark) Ritter of Lexington, MO; thirty-one grandchildren; fifty-six great grandchildren; 20 great-great grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Briley of Louisiana and Sonny Briley of Wyoming; three sisters, Kathryn (Mrs Tim) Jarvis of Quincy, IL, Phyllis (Mrs. Edgar) Shoup of Hogansville, GA, and April Feller of Louisiana; sisters-in-law, Meleese Young of Kahoka and Virginia Weeks of CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Victor, Cliff and Richard; two sons, Victor Young, Jr. and Samuel Eugene Robison; one grandson, Larry Hayden; two sons-in-law, Garry Simmons and Floyd Sommers; four brothers and a sister; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary attended school in Keokuk, IA and was a member of the Kahoka Christian Church. She spent all of her life caring for others, owning boarding homes twice in her life, as a CNA, and staying with patients in their home. She loved to crochet (especially crosses), do crafts, and make jewelry. Second only to her family, was her love for traveling, fishing, camping, and wintering in Texas. She loved to dance and she was an awesome cook. Her dog, Chi-Chi, was a special friend and companion. She loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren, and they learned early in life that when grandma talked, you listened.

Funeral services were held Friday, December 20, 2013 at 10 a.m. at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Pastor Rob Quillin officiating.

Burial was in the Kahoka Cemetery.


Memorials may be made to the family (checks to Rita Barry).

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