Helen Violet (Nelson) Hoeth, 98, of Iola, WI, formerly of Bartonville, IL, passed away Sunday, December 27, 2015, at Iola Living Assistance.
Born April 27, 1917, in Garden City, South Dakota, she was the daughter of Knute and Olga (Christianson) Nelson (immigrants from Norway). She married Carl W. Hoeth in LaCrosse, WI on June 1, 1941. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2002, after nearly 61 years of marriage.
She is survived by one daughter, Carleen (Terry) Leach of Mapleton, IL; two grandchildren, Timothy (Gina) Leach and Todd (Mindy) Leach; and five great grandchildren, Mitchell, Kyle, Cole, Nathan, and Amanda; one nephew, Karl Nelson and nieces Roberta (Harold) Willenberg, Margaret (David) Listug and Dr. Kathleen McGinnis. Besides her husband, Helen was preceded in death by her brother, Clarence Nelson, and sisters, Mary (H.J.) McGinnis and Mabel (James) Fossum.
Helen grew up in LaCrosse, WI and graduated from Logan High School. After WWII, she and her family moved to Peoria, IL where they lived until retirement. She was a member of several organizations including the American Institute of Banking, Iola Golf League, Iola Garden Club, Bridge Club, the former Iola Hospital Auxiliary and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She and Carl loved to travel, they visited all 50 states and 14 foreign countries.
The funeral service for Helen will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Iola, WI. Reverend Dennis W. Olson will officiate. Visitation will be at 10:00 am prior to the service. Burial will be in Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Iola following the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to her church, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 395 E. Iola Street, Iola, WI 54945 or to USO, P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC, 20072. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.