Helen Baetsle

HARPER-Helen Baetsle, age 80, of Harper, died Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

            Helen was born August 1, 1942, in Marengo, the daughter of Vernon and Mary (Heitman) Gorsh.  She grew up in Victor and graduated from HLV High School. On August 5, 1961, she married Arnold L. “Butch” Baetsle, Jr. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Victor.  The couple lived in Grinnell, where Helen worked at Bates Flowers, until 1983, when they moved to Harper.  Helen then worked at County Line Mart in Keota and Timeless Charm in Kalona.  She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and sang in the church choir.  Helen enjoyed cooking for her family, especially her sugar cookies, playing cards with her grandchildren, watching “The Bachelor/Bachelorette” and college sports, especially basketball.

            Survivors include four children: David (Ann) Baetsle of Ollie, Darrell (Lynette) Baetsle of Walford, Darren (Jill) Baetsle of Keota and Deb (Mike) Sullivan of Ely; 12 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; two sisters: Dorothy (Larry) Wade of Grinnell and Cleo (Greg) Brecht of Norway and sister-in-law: Lisa Gorsh of Phoenix, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Arnold “Butch” Baetsle and brother: Merlin Gorsh.

            Memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota.  Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper.  Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

            In lieu of flowers, a general memorial fund has been established.  Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Helen and her family.  Tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.