Helene Ione Iverson

November 15, 1922 – April 9, 2022

Helene Ione Iverson, 99, Lake Mills, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2022 at the Lake Mills Care Center, Lake Mills. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at Salem Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, with Pastor Joel Guttormson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Private family inurnment will take place at Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Lake Mills. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church, or to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice, Mason City.
Helene Ione (Branstad) Iverson was born Nov. 15, 1922 to Helmer and Hazel (Peterson) Branstad on the family farm south of Leland. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Leland. She graduated as co-valedictorian from Leland High School in 1939. She was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and in her senior year received first team all-state honorable mention as a forward. She graduated from Waldorf College in 1941.
Helene began her teaching career at McCallsburg, teaching fifth grade for two years. Her contract stated she should spend half of the weekends in McCallsburg and to remain single. Helene obtained permission from the McCallsburg school board and was united in marriage to Forrest Iverson, Jan. 17, 1943 in Kansas City, before he was sent overseas during WWII. She also taught in Swea City, Leland, and for many years in Lake Mills, where they made their home. Helene taught school a total of 33 years and during her teaching years obtained her bachelor’s degree from Mankato State College. Helene loved being an elementary school teacher and always appreciated when former students would greet her, with many telling her she was their favorite teacher.
Forrest and Helene raised four children. They enjoyed attending musical and sporting events while their children were in school. They also traveled extensively as a family, visiting many of the National Parks in the west and camping in a home-made tent trailer and even drove the entire Alaskan Highway on one trip. In 2005, Helene took her family to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for vacation. The group consisted of 30 family members from four generations. She enjoyed golfing, gardening, reading and being with family and friends. She was very proud of her two hole-in-ones.
The Iversons were licensed foster parents from 1980 to 1991, having both American and Vietnamese children. Helene has remained in contact with her Vietnamese children including Ming and Yin Triew, Da Haynh, Toung Pham, Sonny and Hoang Pham, and Trang Dang attending many graduations and weddings.
Helene was active in Salem Lutheran Church including teaching Bible school, Sunday school, and working with Luther League and adult Bible studies. She was honored to serve as Grand Marshall of the July Jubilee parade in 2006. For many years, Helene would visit with residents at the Lake Mills Care Center and during her time at Mills Harbour, would visit there nearly every day.
Helene is survived by her daughter, Phyllis (Gale) Monson, Lake Mills; sons: Larry (Lucy) Iverson, Cedar Park, Texas; Loren (Denise) Iverson, Pueblo West, Colo.; and David (Molly) Iverson, Greene; nine grandchildren: Tami Bebber, Tony (Sue) Monson, Traci (D.J.) Shirkey, Daniel Iverson, Alissa Mary (Mark) Smith, Sara (Josh) Beyer, Jen Iverson, Leah Iverson and Hannah (Jay) Gorsh; 11 great-grandchildren: Alexandria Bebber, Addison Bebber, Kaylee Shirkey, Alex Smith, Tanner Smith, Ava Beyer, Sophia Beyer, Hayden Iverson, Owen Gorsh, Helene Gorsh and Iver Gorsh; sisters-in-law: Lorraine Branstad, Fern Branstad and Enolia Branstad; along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Forrest, in 1999; granddaughters: Laura Iverson, who died in infancy; and Lori Iverson; three brothers: Carl Branstad, Edward Branstad and Hubert Branstad; and a sister-in-law, Rita Branstad.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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