Helen Lucille Phillips

Helen passed away Sunday evening, March 23, 2014, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa at the age of 98 years, 1 month and 7 days. Helen Lucille Phillips, daughter of Cliff and Fern Hatcher Phillips, was born, February 16, 1916, at the home of her parents in rural Mahaska County, near New Sharon, Iowa. She was a 1932 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and went on to further her education at the Iowa State Teachers College, UNI, where she earned her BA in Education. She would later earn her Master’s of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Helen taught for a total of 47 years; she started out in rural schools in Mahaska County and then taught in the New Sharon School system. In 1946 she moved to the Oskaloosa School system, where she first taught at Lincoln Elementary and then Grant Elementary. She later moved to Oskaloosa Junior High School, where she taught for the majority of the time. Helen was a member of the First Christian Church where she volunteered extensively. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO Chapter IO, Oskaloosa Women’s Club, Mahaska Historical Society, Mahaska Hospice Auxiliary and Mahaska Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered in the snack bar. She also volunteered at the Oskaloosa Elementary Schools and the Oskaloosa Public Library. Helen traveled extensively in the US and abroad. She enjoyed reading and piecing quilts. Helen’s family includes her sisters and brother-in-law: Lois Putnam of Eldora, IA and Velma (Donald) Wee of Butler, PA; a brother, Wayne Phillips of Norman, OK; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Grace Noel, brothers-in-law, Howard Noel and Harold Putnam and a sister-in-law, Betty Phillips. Funeral Services for Helen will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday morning, March 27, 2014, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Andrea Brownlee and Mr. Aaron Phillips, a great nephew, officiating. A family prayer service will precede the service at 10:15 a.m. in the church lounge. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to her church or to Delta Kappa Gamma.

Helen Lucille Phillips

February 16, 1916 - March 23, 2014