Mary Helen Leathers, 100, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, IA. Funeral services honoring her life will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Al Coffin officiating. A private family burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield immediately following. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield beginning at 2:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Mary Helen’s honor may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield or to the Maasdam Barns. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Mary Helen Leathers was born to Glenn and June (Snider) Gorman on March 27, 1926, at their rural Batavia farmhouse. She attended Des Moines Township Country School #1 and graduated from Batavia High School in 1943. She was in 4-H and showed livestock in Chautauqua Park. She also played 6-on-6 basketball until coaches were drafted in 1943.
On August 1, 1943, she married Ralph R Leathers in Kahoka, MO. In the summer of 1944, she attended Parsons College and taught at a rural school for 4 years. They then had their 2 daughters, Linda and Barbara. Mary Helen was a 4-H leader when her daughters were members. She enjoyed helping the girls through various school and 4-H projects. She also subbed at different rural schools later. 
Ralph and Mary Helen custom-baled and milked cows. She also worked in the office at the Fairfield livestock auction sale barn on Wednesday sale days for nearly 20 years. She was taught a strong work ethic. She never did social media; she always wanted to hear people’s voices. She loved to meet people and make new friends. She had coffee each week with her circle of friends, and they exchanged news of family, events, etc. She enjoyed her family, friends, traveling, dancing at Polishville, and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed living on a farm, caring for plants, working in the field, and caring for the animals. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Moose Lodge in Mt. Pleasant, and First National Bank Heritage Club Questers.
As each of Ralph and Mary Helen’s grandchildren turned 8, they would take them to a day of fun at the Iowa State Fair. They made that trip multiple times. A few years ago, her grandson James Wahl called and asked if she wanted to go to the fair, and of course, she wanted to go and had a fun-filled day full of memories.
Mary Helen recently celebrated her 100th birthday with over 150 of her friends and family. All of her immediate family was in attendance, along with some of her relatives from out of town.
She was so grateful to have made it to 100 and that she outlived the Queen of England. She was also very proud that she was able to live in her home and still drive at the age of 100.
Mary Helen is survived by her daughter, Linda Wahl of Jefferson City, MO, 5 grandchildren: James (Shay) Wahl of Freeburg, MO, Stacie (Jerry) Hootman of Fairfield, IA, Jesse Fry of Fairfield, IA, Cassie (Levi) Miller of Lake Ozark, MO, and Lindsay (Marcus) McComas of Henderson, NV. 10 great-grandchildren Christian (Delaney) Wahl of Columbia, MO, Nicholas Wahl of Columbia, MO, Alexandra Wahl (Troy Anderson) of Holts Summit, MO, Alicia Hootman of Fairfield, IA, Elizabeth Hootman of Fairfield, IA, Vanessa Miller of Lake of the Ozark, MO, Benjamin Miller of Lake of the Ozark, MO, Dominic Steen of Henderson, NV, Laila Steen Henderson, NV, Mason McComas of Henderson, NV, Elise Shoemaker of Longmont, CO. 3 Great-Great Grandchildren Nora McCreedy of Fairfield, IA, Charlotte Hootman of Fairfield, IA, and Theodore Wahl of Columbia, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and June Gorman, her husband, Ralph, a brother Charles, and sister-in-law Claire, stillborn twins, a daughter, Barbara, and two former sons-in-law, Randy Fry and Douglas Wahl.