Helen Marie Sell

Services: Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 10:30 A.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Helen Sell of Tabor, Iowa has passed peacefully from this life to meet her savior and those who have gone before. She died at the age of ninety-nine on December 26, 2023. Her life journey was marked by resilience, love and goodness.

Helen, the first-born child of John Rasmussen and Irene Petty Rasmussen, entered the world on October 7, 1924 and along with her seven siblings grew up in rural Pottawattamie County Iowa.  She graduated from Macedonia High School in 1942 and left for Omaha to attend business school.  She worked as a manager at Howard Manufacturing.  Howard manufactured field radio crystal holders, needed in military transmissions during World War II.

Helen met James “Vern” Sell shortly after he returned from the Army Air Corps.  He would become the love of her life.  They married on December 10, 1947, marking the beginning of a lifelong partnership.  Vern and Helen spent their entire married life in Mills County Iowa.  Three daughters were born to this union, Kathleen Mayes of Georgetown, Texas, Karen LaBrayere of Cozad, Nebraska and Keila Dremstedt (Al) of Alva, Florida.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathy, Karen and Keila, nine grandchildren, Kimberly Mayes McKay, Kristin Mayes Burke, Jeffrey Mayes, Jessica Mayes Beck, Anne LaBrayere Dishman, Jaime LaBrayere Jarrell, Zachary LaBrayere, Jillian LaBrayere Nelsen, Kaylee Garnhart Rupe and 18 great grandchildren.  Also surviving is her brother Charles (Evelyn), sister-in-law Betty Rasmussen, brother-in-law Floyd (Corky) Sell his wife Mary, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years James “Vern” Sell, her brothers Dean, Dale, Dennis and her sisters Lois, Velma, and Doris (twin of Dale, in infancy).

Helen and Vern moved to Tabor in 1953, where they became members of the Tabor United Methodist Church.   Helen was the quintessential farm wife.  She juggled various roles seamlessly– she was Vern’s # 1 assistant and favorite farm hand, an extraordinary mother, the neighborhood babysitter and caregiver, church secretary, UMW president, 4-H leader, and room mother.  If there was a band trip, she was on the bus; if there was a ball game, she was in the stands. Her daughters remember that she always made sure they looked their best.  Their clothes were pressed, their hair was curled and styled, often with a bow or barrette. She could squeeze the budget to buy them what they thought they needed to have and empty the gas tank taking them where they thought they needed to go. They remark that their mom worked harder than anyone they ever knew, but always had time for a cup of coffee if anyone dropped by.

Helen had a special dedication to the elderly and spent many hours aiding and caring for seniors in need. She was honored as Mills County Homemaker of the Year and was honorary Queen of the Fremont Mills Homecoming.  Her life was a life well lived: a testament to faith, family and service.

From 1966 to 1984 Helen worked in the office of Bryce Harrison.  From there she began a second career at the Tabor State Bank, where she retired after 23 years to spend more time at home with Vern.

Family and friends will remember Helen’s easy smile, her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, her baking skills and her willingness to be of service and comfort to others. Memories of her love, kindness and generous spirit will live on with those whose lives she touched.  How blessed we are to have shared so many wonderful years in the presence of her grace and beauty.  She will be missed but never forgotten.

Interment: Tabor Cemetery, Tabor, Iowa.

Memorial donations may be directed to: Tabor Volunteer Fire Department, 1000 Main Street, Tabor, Iowa 51653; Meadowlark Point, 2300 Ave O – Cozad, NE 69130; Hillsdale Methodist Church, 27068 Kimberling Ave – Glenwood, IA 51534