Norma Lea Wollam Helphrey, 85, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly of Mt. Union died August 22, 2023 at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant.
Norma was born August 23, 1937 in Linby, Iowa, the daughter of Russell Earl and Vera Grace Knox Wollam. She graduated from Mt. Union Consolidated Schools and attended Burlington Business School in a secretarial course. On July 20, 1958 she married Don Lauer Helphrey at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church. He died August 24, 2021.
During her life, Norma worked for the Iowa-Illinois Telephone Company as a secretary in the Engineering Department at the main office in New London; she was secretary for the Mt. Union United Methodist Church; and was Administrative Assistant to the President of Iowa Wesleyan College for 16 ½ years. She was a member of Chapter U of T.T.T. in Mt. Union since November of 1960 and the VFW Auxiliary. She had volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers through the Mt. Union Booster Club since 1964. Norma enjoyed dancing, attending local sporting events – especially basketball and softball – and spending precious time with her family.
Norma is survived by her children, Steve Helphrey of Appleton, WI, Joni Helphrey Lewis of Windsor, WI, and Terry (Lisa) Helphrey of LaVista, NE; grandchildren Brittany, Dante, Ashley, Anna and Reid; brother Robert “Bud” Wollam (Betty) of Burlington, and sister Sharon Helmerson (Jim) of New London; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, September 9, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London with inurnment of her cremains next to her beloved husband Don at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union immediately following. The family will then host a luncheon at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on September 9 at the Chapel with the family greeting friends from 10:00 until time of the service. A memorial has been established to the National T.T.T. Project Fund.
Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com