Helen L. Peak, age 97, of Waldo, died peacefully Monday, November 16, 2015 at Heartland of Marion.
She was born in Marion County to the late Elmer and Clara (Radel) Kaelber, and graduated from Waldo High School in 1936.
Helen married Arles C. Peak, and they shared 53 years of marriage before he preceded her in death in 2000. Together they created a beautiful life for their three daughters, instilling in them a legacy of love and family.
Always active, she worked diligently on their dairy and grain farm, milking cows and doing chores. Upon retiring from the dairy, many happy winters were spent in Arizona with family. Helen loved being outdoors, and her zest for life was apparent in everything she touched. Her flowers, garden and yard were a source of joy, and she spent countless hours canning, freezing and sharing the bounties of her garden with friends and family. She finally gave up mowing the yard at age 92, but continued to tend to her flower beds as long as she was able.
When she came indoors, her attention turned to sewing, reading and cooking. Helen created beautiful dresses for her daughters and granddaughters, and she was thrilled to know that her great-granddaughter is wearing some of those dresses now. She loved family dinners, and her cookies, vegetable soup and macaroni and cheese are family favorites. In her later years, Helen was affectionately known as the “Card Lady,” sending countless cards, notes and letters of thanks and encouragement.
Above all else, Helen’s focus was her faith and her family. She was a life-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waldo, actively participating in church circles, sewing and numerous other activities with her church family. At the age of 92, she completed the seven-year Bible study course with Bible Study Fellowship in Marion. She was also a member of the Waldo Mothers Study Club. Her greatest joy was spending time with her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
Helen is survived by daughters Louise (Stephen) Renneckar of Scottsdale, AZ, Naomi (Mickey) Romano of Tucson, AZ, and Mary Ellen (Jeffrey) Duprey of Waldo, OH. She is also survived by grandchildren, Stephanie (Greg) Halvorson, Darby (Tim) Sugar, Michael (Lindsey) Romano, Nicole (Scott) Gregersen, Alex (Annee McNab) Duprey, Alyssa (Mitch Posey) Duprey, and Austin (Katie Liff) Duprey; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Parker, Hunter, Sydney, Deakan, Arles, Austin, and Ryleigh, sister-in-law Esther Kaelber and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was predeceased by brothers, Oscar and Arthur Kaelber and sister, Mildred Main.
The family would like to thank the nurses, aides and staff at Heartland and Kindred Hospice for your kind, compassionate and loving care of Helen. You each made such a difference in her life, and your hard work and dedication is appreciated more than you can imagine. The family would also like to thank Helen’s family and friends for the amazing outpouring of love for her 97th birthday. She was overwhelmed by her card shower, receiving over 140, and spent many happy hours reading each and every card.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2015 at Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, Marion. A funeral will be celebrated Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Waldo at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Sarah Schaff presiding. Burial will follow at Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Helen’s honor to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Peak Family and online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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