Vera "Helen" Huisman

Vera "Helen" Huisman age 98 of Holland, Iowa passed away Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Westwood Living Center, Clinton, Missouri.

A small funeral service will be held Sunday, September 9, 2018 at The Clinton Church of the Nazarene in Clinton, Missouri at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior.  Visitation in Iowa will be held on Wednesday, September 12th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center.  Helen's funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 13th at 10:00 AM at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center. A luncheon at the Grundy Community Center Legion Room will immediately follow the funeral service. Burial will follow the luncheon at the Hazel Green Cemetery in rural Hardin County, Ackley at 2:00 PM.

Helen was born December 6, 1919 in Melrose Township in Grundy County, Iowa to Robert and Gladys (Newell) Hess.  Helen grew up on a farm in Melrose Township and graduated from Wellsburg Community School in 1934.  Helen was married to Eugene Leo Huisman on March 11, 1940 at the Episcopalian Church in Waterloo, Iowa.

She and her husband owned and operated Gene's Tavern in Wellsburg, Iowa.  The couple later purchased the meat locker in Holland, Iowa in 1952 and operated it until retiring in 1986.  Helen enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, loved canning, sewing, gardening, flowers, sports (Atlanta Braves Fan), loved playing cards, and cleaning her house.

Survivors include a son Robert (Ruby) Huisman of Clinton, Missouri; two grandchildren, Marshall (Keri) Huisman and Linnsey Huisman (Dylan Sires); three great grandchildren, Haylee and Josephine Huisman and Floyd Sires; a brother, Lawrence Hess; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Eugene Huisman; son, Leo Huisman; mother, Gladys Hess; father, Robert Hess; siblings, Doris Snyder, Clarence Hess, Isabelle Venenga, Mildred Basco, and Audrey Gillet.

Arrangements in Missouri have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Mo and local arrangements have been entrusted to the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center.