Helen Hoffa

Helen Louise (Paul) Hoffa, 86, passed from this life on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Oakview Nursing Home, Conrad, IA of a heart block. Helen was born January 24, 1932, the fifth of twelve children of Andrew Burton and Mae Irene (Anderson) Paul. She spent her early years in Kellogg and rural Newton, IA attending the rural schools and graduating from Newton High School.  She then attended Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

As part of a large family, Helen learned the value of hard work, frugality, and fraternity. Her family did not have many material things but an abundance of love. Her parents instilled in her a love of music, education, and gardening. She had built in playmates and adventurers.  She had a fierce devotion to her family that stayed with her throughout her life.

Helen was introduced to Earnest while both were recovering from car accidents at the Marshalltown Hospital. On January 10, 1954, Helen married Earnest Ray Hoffa of rural Grundy Center, IA. They made their home on the family farm.

After raising her children for several years, she worked at the Grundy Center Elementary. She then completed a degree in library science from the University of Northern Iowa. She then worked as a school librarian in New Hartford and Beaman- Conrad schools. She enjoyed seeing former students and loved her libraries.

Helen was an avid reader, genealogist, quilter, golfer, and traveler.  Family always came first.  She loved to help others, however it was needed. Even into her 80’s she carried out assignments at the homeless shelter in Marshalltown.

Helen is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She held many callings in the Marshalltown Ward. She and Earnest served a church mission in the Chicago, IL Temple. They also worked in the Omaha Temple. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and her Heavenly Father. She loved their teachings about eternal families and looked forward to her heavenly family.

Helen is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Earnest Hoffa, three daughters, Karna (Mark) Hawkins, Riverton, UT, Kyle (Steven) Nielsen, Brandon, IA, and Dara Hoffa, Kearns, UT and one son, DeLon (Lori) Hoffa, Conover, NC. She is also survived by six grandsons; Greg Hawkins, Peton (Sarah)and Evan Nielsen, and Spencer (Deborah), Hyrum (Emily)and Garrett Hoffa and three great-granddaughters; Holland and Sofia Nielsen and Helen Marie Hoffa. Five brothers mourn her passing, Norman, Dale, Jim, Curt, and Keith Paul. Sister-in-law, Roberta (Sharp) Hoffa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Doris Thorson, Phyllis Paul, and Carol Skoog, and brothers Wayne, Eugene, and Dennis Paul. Her husband’s parents, Lester and Dena Hoffa, her brother-in-law Leon Hoffa, and sister in law Irene Newton.

A memorial service for Helen will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints located at 703 South 12th Street in Marshalltown, Iowa.  A private family graveside service was held at Sheller Cemetery north of Ivester, Iowa.  In lieu, of flowers, memorials may be directed in memory of Helen to a school or public library of your choice.  Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center is caring for Helen and her family.