Hellen Elaine Morey Marshall passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on
September 13, 2019, at the Edencrest Senior Living facility in Johnston.
Hellen (with two l’s) was born to Harry and Hazel (Cox) Morey on Feb. 28, 1928, in West Bend. She grew up on the family farm with her brothers Harvey, Herbert, and Howard and her sister Harriet. Hellen always talked about the St. Bernard puppies that her daddy raised and how each child would get to pick a puppy to love and then be broken hearted when it was sold. It was a memory that stayed with her and a story that was told and re-told.
After graduation from high school, Hellen headed for the big city of Des Moines where she worked at Banker’s Life Insurance Company. In 1946, at a dance, she met a young man who had recently returned from the service. It wasn’t long before Hellen married Lyle Carl Marshall on March 2, 1947. They initially took up residence at a little tenant house on the Morey family farm near West Bend. Within a few years Hellen and Lyle moved to the Dana/Paton area in Greene County, the place they called “home” for their remaining years. The Marshall family farming operation continues today.
Hellen had a wonderful life. She was full of spunk and spirit. No description of her life can be given without including Lyle. She was a true partner to Lyle in their farming operation. She helped with livestock, could drive a tractor or a grain truck, and yet also managed a household with four children. She was involved with the United Methodist Church in Paton and in the rural neighborhood clubs and card groups. From 1973 to 1999, Lyle was the owner and operator of Marshall Sales and Service in Paton. Again, Hellen was a full partner as she handled all the front office details. Daddy was the wheeler-dealer. Mom kept the wheels from flying off.
Hellen joined Lyle in his love of antique cars, especially the ’41 Buick. For over 50 years, they had adventures and friends from coast to coast due to involvement with the Tall Corn Antique Car Club and the Buick Club of America
In 1987, Hellen and Lyle moved off the farm to Jefferson but they both continued to stay very involved with the farm operation for many years. Hellen was active well into her mid-80s with the Greene County Medical Center auxiliary, the Greene County Historical Society, and the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Many of you also remember her as a hard-working blood drive organizer. She loved to walk, she loved to read, she loved to dance. She loved her friends and her family. She was a feisty rascal and high-spirited until her end of days.
Hellen is survived by her children Linda Evans of Grimes, Dwight (Jenny) of Paton, Lynn (Kathy) of Dana, and Sharon Fisher, also Dana; grandchildren Megan Evans, Meredith Evans, Jonathan (Laura) Marshall, Leanna Marshall, Adam (Katie) Marshall, Andrew Marshall, Jared Marshall, Eric (Katie) Fisher, and Lucas Fisher; plus great-grandchildren, Erik, Brennan and Mason Evans, Alina Marshall, Logan, Aiden, and Karson Marshall, Abel Marshall, and the newest addition, Jack Fisher. Mom doted on each and every one. She is also survived by siblings Howard and Herbert Morey.
Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson on Friday, Sept. 20. Hellen will be interred next to her beloved husband of 60 years at the Paton Township Cemetery immediately following the service. She was preceded in death by Lyle in 2007, granddaughter Rachel Fisher (2004), sons-in-law Steven Evans (2015) and Michael Fisher (2017), her parents, sister Harriet, and brother Harvey.
There are not enough words or enough remembrances to capture the full life of Hellen Elaine Morey Marshall but, in lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be directed to the Methodist Churches of Paton or Jefferson, the public libraries at Paton or Jefferson and the Greene County Historical Society
