Helen M. Erkes, age 97, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, Iowa.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 21, 2012 at 1:30pm at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa with Pastor Beryl Hicks ~ officiating. Burial will be in the East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, Iowa.
Visitation with the family present will be Friday, December 21, 2012 after 11:00am until the time of the service at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon, Iowa.
Online memorial condolences may be sent to: vanderploegfunerals.com
Arrangements under the care of Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Iowa.
Helen Mary Erkes, the daughter of Grover C. Sr. and Mary (Schneider) Petitt was born on August 31, 1915 in Osceola County, Iowa. She received her education in O’Brien and Osceola country schools. Helen took care for her younger brother and sister after the death of their mother. On October 20, 1942, Helen was united in marriage to William H. Pangborn in South Sioux City, Nebraska; they made their home in Sheldon. Helen worked as a cook for the Sheldon Hospital for many years. Bill preceded her in death on March 4, 1971 in Sheldon. She remained and continued to work in Sheldon until her retirement in 1973. On July 3, 1973, Helen was united in marriage to Burt Erkes in Sheldon, Iowa and they retired to Arizona. Burt passed away June 21, 2003 in Arizona and Helen returned to Sheldon to live. She passed away Sunday, December 16, 2012 at the Sanford Sheldon Senior Care in Sheldon, reaching the age of 97 years, 3 months and 16 days.
She was a member of the Church of Christ Church. She enjoyed crocheting and canning.
Helen is survived by a step daughter, Lorna and her husband David Lagoo of Sheldon; four step grandchildren and several step great-great grandchildren; two brothers and their wives, G.C. “Bud” Jr. and Darlene Petitt of Sheldon and Paul and Mitzi Petitt of Gillette, Wyoming; and a sister, Eleanor McDuffey of Des Moines, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her husbands, William H. Pangborn and Burt Erkes; two step children, William Pangborn and Eva Culver; two step grandchildren, Mark Lagoo and Mary Lowden; her parents and seven brothers and sisters, Edward Petitt, Hilda Daggett, Nina Beckmann, William Petitt, Mary Hanna, Dolly Petitt and Betty Swanson.
