Helen L. Dau

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
HELEN L. DAU

BORN
June 19, 1931
Cherokee County, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
April 23, 2015
Sanborn, Iowa

VISITATION
With Family Present
5 7 P.M. Sunday, April 26, 2015
Eldridge Family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 A.M. Monday April 27, 2015
United Church of Primghar; Primghar, Iowa
Rev. Cory Allard Officiating

MUSIC
The Lords Prayer
Sung by: Ryan Schuknecht

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
Hymn of Promise
How Great Thou Art
Blessing Song
Organist: LaNan Eldridge

CASKET BEARERS
Grandchildren
Jill Klug Amy DeBoer
Adam Dau Arica Schuknecht
Joel Dau Andrew Dau
Ryan Francois Jenna Francois
Erik Francois

FINAL RESTING PLACE
Liberty Township Cemetery
Calumet, Iowa

After todays service relatives and friends are invited
to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Arrangements under the care of the
Eldridge family Funeral Home; Primghar, Iowa.

HELEN L. DAU

Helen Lorene Dau, daughter of Hugo and Emma (Streufert) Gerstandt, was born on June 19, 1931 on the family farm in Cherokee county. She was baptized on May 8, 1932 and confirmed on April 1, 1945 at Zion United Church of Christ in Calumet. She attended school in Larrabee and graduated from there on May 18, 1950.
On November 24, 1951, Helen was married to Elmer Dau at Zion United Church of Christ. He won her heart after attending many dances at the South Liberty Hall. Helen and Elmer farmed near Gaza for 40 years, before retiring to Primghar.
Helen found great joy in the time she spent with family and friends. She planted many seeds during her life. Her love of children led her to help with the preschool in Sutherland for many years. Sharing a Thanksgiving meal with the children each year was always a highlight for her. Helen lovingly pieced together countless quilts, which continue to be treasured by family and friends. Some of her most peaceful moments were spent tending and caring for her flowers and garden. With the help of friends she nurtured the creation of the Town and Country Garden Club in Primghar. She was an active member of the United Church of Primghar after moving to town and greatly enjoyed time spent with friends in the Highland Homemakers Club, Faith Circle, Sunshine Club and others.
Helen passed away at the Prairie View Retirement Home on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the age of 83. She was preceeded in death by her husband Elmer, parents, four brothers and their wives: August and Geneva Gerstandt, Herman and Delores Gerstandt, Edward and Erma Gerstandt, Albert and Elfriede Gerstandt and three sisters: Margaret in infancy, Elsie Kuehl and husband Lester, Ida Wiese and brother- in-law Floyd Swanson.
Helen leaves to cherish her memory three children: Arlen and wife Lea (Brandenburg) of Cumberland, Rhode Island, Larry and wife Jean (Brookfield) of Primghar, Denise Francois and husband Don of Des Moines, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren: Jill and Achim Klug and children Nathan, Maximillian and Caroline of Denver, Colorado; Adam and Joel of Lincoln, Rhode Island; Amy and Aaron DeBoer and children Kathryn, John Douwe and William of Aurora, Colorado; Arica and Ryan Schuknecht and children Landon and Lainey of Akron; Andrew and wife Amanda (DeWar) of Clarksburg, Maryland; Ryan, Jenna, and Erik of Des Moines; sister Martha Swanson of Aurelia; brother-in-law Delbert Wiese of Paullina; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.