Helen N. Sietsema , age 95, of Marengo, died Saturday August 16, 2008 at the Marengo Memorial Hospital, Marengo, Iowa of complications from a stroke. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, at Trinity United Church of Christ, rural Marengo with Rev. Bev Thompson-Travis officiating. Friends may call after 9:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at the Tabor Cemetery, Tabor, IA. A memorial fund has been established.

She is survived by a son, Richard T. Sietsema and wife Margie of Byron, GA; and four daughters, Betty Clouse of Gainsville, FL, Audrey Loffer and husband Robert of Marengo, Kathleen Witzel and husband Leo of Brainard, NE and Karen Heitmann and husband David of Victor; 23 grandchildren, Vicki, Greg, Kimberly, Cheryl, Carrie, Kristine, Michelle, Mark, Matthew, Michael, Melanie, Merissa, Anthony, Charity, Christopher, Derek, Leslee, Shambria, Kyla, Nyla, Rachel, Sean and Damen, numerous great-grandchildren, a great great granddaughter, a sister, Letitia Lawson age 112, of Milford, IA and a brother-in-law, Hrold Sietsema and wife Marilyn of Minnesota.. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glade Sietsema and 4 sisters and 2 brothers.

Beulah Helen Northey was born April 16, 1913 on the family farm, near Milford, Iowa. She was the youngest of eight children born to Albert J. and Carrie Thompson Northey. Helen attended Okaboji Consolidated School and graduated in 1930. At an early age she joined the Excelsior Methodist Church where she took part in Sunday School, Youth Group, Bible School and other church activities. On December 28, 1936, she married Glade Wesley Sietsema in Milford, Iowa. The couple made their first home on a farm near Lake Park, IA. Five children came to live in this home, Richard, Betty, Audrey, Kathleen and Karen. Following a short time of farming, Glade decided to become a minister. Through the years, they served churches in South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Glade died in 1961 while he was pastor of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Tabor, Iowa.

Helen loved caring for her home and family. She enjoyed gardening and always had lots of vegetables and flowers. She was a member of the Tabor Congregational United Church of Christ, where she worked with the Sunday School and the Women’s Fellowship as long as she was able. She was a 50-year member and past matron of the Order of Eastern Star.

In 2001, Helen moved to Marengo to be closer to family. In spite of health issues and arthritis, she continued to enjoy crocheting, and took great pride in the sweaters that she contributed to Guidepost Knit for Kids mission project. Helen had a deep and abiding faith in God which sustained her throughout her life. She enjoyed attending services at Trinity UCC when she was able and came to love and appreciate her Trinity family. Helen loved flowers and birds and taught her family to appreciate nature. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. .