Visitation Saturday, January 22, 2011 9:30 AM to 11 AM Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa
Funeral Service Saturday, January 22, 2011 11 AM Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa
Officiating Reverend Jonathan Conner
Congregational Hymns "How Great Thou Art" "In The Garden" Carlys Stribe, Organist
Prerecorded Music "I Hope You Dance" LeeAnn Womack
Casketbearers: Bryan Ross, Doug Durfey, Mike Gutmann, Tim Gutmann, Tyler Thygesen, Kirk Thygesen
Interment Manning Cemetery Manning, Iowa

Helen Rubena, daughter of William and Cecilia (Engelbrect) Mews, was born September 23, 1921, at Bridgewater, South Dakota. One of nine children, Helen grew up in South Dakota and attended country school in McCook County. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgewater.

On January 10, 1938, Helen was united in marriage with Eugene Merton Ross at Mitchell, South Dakota. Merton and Helen were married for 61 years and raised five children, two sons from a previous marriage and three daughters. They farmed in South Dakota until 1942, when they moved to Dickens, Iowa. Helen and the family followed Merton around Iowa and his grain elevator manager career to Farragut, Algona, and Dow City before settling at Aspinwall. In 1981, Helen began working for Casey's, retiring in 1995. Merton died on August 4, 1999. Helen lived in Aspinwall for one more year and then moved to Manning. In January of 2008, she moved to Audubon to be closer to some of her family.

Helen enjoyed hand quilting and family and friends will always treasure the things she made. She enjoyed spending time with her family; Logan and Hannah were sure to bring a smile to her face.

Helen had been in failing health for a while with several hospitalizations. On Monday, January 17, 2011, she died at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa, at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 25 days.

Helen is survived by her five children: Don Ross and wife Janice of Mt. Vernon, South Dakota; Wayne Ross and special friend Mildred Klein of Kimball, Nebraska; Marian Durfey of Essex, Iowa; Linda Gutmann and husband Robert of Puyallup, Washington and Lorri Thygesen and husband Kirk of Audubon, Iowa; ten grandchildren; ninteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Leona Leitheiser of California; Fran Tschetter of Bridgewater, South Dakota; Mildred Miller of Billings, Montana.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother William Jr. and four sisters: Hazel, Florence, Clara and Mabel.

Arrangements by Johnson & Woodhouse Funeral Home