Helen Rocksien, daughter of Frank and Anna (Huber) Miller, was born on a farm six miles south of Manilla, March 29, 1911. She attended country school at Greeley Center #5; after which she attended high school in Defiance for two years, transferred to Harlan for one year to enable her to take Normal Training courses, then transferred to Manilla where Normal Training courses had been added to the curriculum. After graduating, and being too young to teach, Helen went back to Manilla for business courses. She worked for her board and room in the home of Superintendent Fearing.

Helen taught for two years at Greeley Center #5 to earn money for college. She attended Iowa State University at Ames for two years where she earned her way with scholarships and living in a cooperative dormitory and working in homes in the community.

December 31, 1933, Helen was united in marriage to Lee C. Rocksien of Manning. They were married in her parents' home on the farm. After the wedding, they lived in Big Rapids, Michigan where Lee was a chemistry/pharmacy instructor at Ferris Institute. The following year, he went to work as a professional representative for E.R. Squibb Co. and they lived in Wichita, Kansas, for several years before being transferred to Omaha for two more years. Lee went back into the teaching field in 1939 when he accepted a position at the University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While living there, Susan and Daniel were born.

When the war started, Lee went into the Army as a Lieutenant in Anti-Aircraft. The family lived in various Army camps on the East Coast. Lee was transferred to the O.S.S. and had received orders to fly to Burma. As preparation for leaving, he settled his family in Iowa at the farm of Helen's parents. The day before Lee was to leave for Burma, he was stricken with a heart attack. He survived for 3 months at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. Helen brought their children back to Washington D.C. in order to be with Lee. He passed away on December 4, 1944 at 36 years of age.

Helen and the children returned to Manilla where they lived with her parents for 7 years. Rosemary Helen was born five months after her father's death. Helen was a member of the First. Presbyterian Church where she was active as Sunday School teacher, choir member and church treasurer for many years. Helen was active in Band Mothers, an organization she chaired for two years, raising money to buy band uniforms by organizing, preparing and serving large community dinners. In those days, TB Christmas Seal drives were handled through the counties. Helen handled the mailings and returns for the town of Manilla for many years and was county chairman for two years. Proceeds from such drives provided X-Ray trucks to go to the towns to make free X-Rays available to all residents.

Helen enjoyed traveling every summer, taking the family on long road trips visiting all major national parks, all lower 48 states and Canada. Helen loved to dance, sing and play cards. She especially loved Bridge which she played from the time she was young. Helen belonged to several Bridge clubs in Manilla.

Helen loved animals and kept a permanent feeding station and safe-haven on her front porch for any cat that was hungry, thirsty or tired. Cats and dogs have been her constant companions over the years.

Helen took the town census and was the town assessor for several years. She also worked for the University of Michigan Research Center conducting surveys in Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska.

Helen purchased her present home in 1952 where she resided until her death. She had been in declining health over the last 10 years, having suffered from two heart attacks and emphysema.

Helen was a wonderful mother, a devoted grandmother and a doting great-grandmother. She was an incredible cook and the family will hold fond memories of the holidays and many special times spent together.

During her life Helen touched a great number of people and had countless friends. One of her dearest friends has been Joe Bullivant. Joe has been a significant influence in the lives of Helen's children and grandchildren, as well as in Helen's own life. In the last few years Joe has been a constant companion and caregiver, enabling Helen to remain at home, surrounded by the animals and things she loved.

Helen died at Manning General Hospital, Manning, Iowa on Friday, October 20, 1995 at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 21 days.

Besides her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by infant daughter, Gay, of Wichita in 1936; daughter, Rosemary, of Manilla in 1963; son, Dan (Rocky) of Manilla in 1992; brother, Donald, of Harlan in 1970; sister, Faye, of Seattle in 1987.

Survivors include: daughter, Susan Wieland, of Seattle; grandchildren, Tracy, Lance and wife Katrin, and Kimberly Willmers, of Seattle; great-grandchildren, Ryan Lee Willmers and Krista Faye and Nikolas Gene Wieland; sister, Eunice Fay, of Canton, Minnesota; sister, Lois Gilbert-son and husband, John, of Missoula, Montana; nieces and nephews, Tom, John, Don Fay and Karla Fay Warner, Shirley Forrest Weingart, Janet Forrest Radke, Frank Forrest and Virginia Forrest Sollars, Dave and Mike Miller, and Joe Bullivant of Manning, as well as many other relatives and friends.