Helms Funeral Homes

08/19/2025

Bill Shimek, age 83 of Calmar, IA passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday morning at the church.

Full obituary to follow.

Helms Funeral Home is not involved and will not be present during the service, if you have questions please contact the family.

Bill Shimek, age 83 of Calmar, IA passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025. A memorial mass will be held at 1100 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Calmar, IA with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery.

08/18/2025

Madonna Reisner, age 100, of Calmar, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Calmar Lutheran Church, 200 East Street, Calmar, Iowa, with Pastor Abraham Faugstad presiding. Burial will be in New Oregon Cemetery, Cresco, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday.

Full obituary to follow.

Madonna Reisner, age 100, of Calmar, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa. Funeral service will be at 1100 a.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Calmar Lutheran Church, 200 East Street, Calmar, Iowa, with Pastor Abraham Faugstad presiding. Burial w...

08/18/2025

Carol Schrick, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.

Celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 614 Rossville Road, Waukon, Iowa. Visitation and lunch will follow.

Private burial will be at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota, on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Carol was born on September 15, 1943, to Ralph and Mae (Veenker) Smith at their family farm near George, Iowa. She graduated from George high school and then graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Sterling College in Kansas. She taught school in Hutchinson, Kansas and then at West Lyon School in Lyon County, Iowa.

She married Judson Schrick on June 28, 1968. They were married for 57 years when she passed away.

Carol was also a tour director for Reiman Publications for 12 years. She enjoyed her travels and work with them.

Carol loved to serve others! She loved cooking meals and making people feel at home in her home. She will be remembered by many for her cookies and home cooked meals. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Carol Schrick, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. Celebration of life will be at 1100 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 614 Rossville Road, Waukon, Iowa. Visitation and lunch will follow. Private....

08/06/2025

⚰️🔥 Burial or cremation? Traditional service or something more personal?

Does your family know what you want when the time comes?
Don’t leave them with questions during one of life’s hardest moments.

Pre-planning means your wishes are known, honored, and handled—with care. 💛

We’re here to help you put it all in writing (beyond just random notes in your desk) so your loved ones aren’t left guessing.

Learn more about the process here: https://www.helmsfuneralhomes.com/plan-ahead

08/06/2025

Dolores Ira, age 96, of Spillville, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Church, and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday morning at the church.

Full obituary to follow.

Dolores Ira, age 96, of Spillville, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1100 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding.

08/04/2025

Mark Hackman, age 68, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Prairie du Chien due to an apparent heart attack.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, with Father Donald Hertges presiding. No burial at this time.

There will be no visitation prior to the church service.

A Celebration of Life will follow the mass from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Winneshiek County Fair Community Building.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may go to the family in his memory.

Guests are invited to drive their classic cars to the celebration of life in honor of Mark.

Mark Hackman, age 68, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2025, in Prairie du Chien due to an apparent heart attack. Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1100 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah,

08/01/2025

August is Family Fun Month!

Too often, families come together only during life’s most difficult moments. This month, we’re reminding you to make time for the joyful ones, too. Laugh loud. Make memories. Be present.

Because togetherness isn’t just for the hard days—it’s for the happy ones too. You won’t regret prioritizing fun family time. ��👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

07/23/2025

Patricia “Pat” McCormick, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Iowa.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, with Father Daniel Knipper presiding. Burial will be in the St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street in Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

Patricia Pat McCormick, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Barthell Eastern Star in Decorah, Iowa. Memorial Service will be held at 1100 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101, with Father Daniel Knippe...

07/23/2025

Grief is a reflection of love—and that love never truly leaves us. While your loved one may no longer be here physically, the love you shared will live on forever within you. That love has become such a meaningful part of who you are, and that is something that death can never take away from you.

If you're navigating loss, know that you're not alone. If you’re looking for resources to help you process your grief after the loss of a loved one, we can help. Reach out or visit our website for helpful resources. 🕊️

07/20/2025

Keith Bakken, age 68, of Spillville, IA, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Full obituary to follow.

Keith Bakken, age 68, of Spillville, IA, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Memorial Service will be held at 1100 A.M. on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., in Decorah. Burial will follow at Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will

07/20/2025

Judith Vagts, age 88, of Ossian, IA, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, IA.

Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Ossian Lutheran Church, 305 Jessie St., Ossian, IA, with Rev Daryl Schultz presiding. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery following the service.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church.

Full obituary to follow.

Judith Vagts, age 88, of Ossian, IA, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, IA. Memorial service will be held at 1030 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 205, at Ossian Lutheran Church, 305 Jessie St., Ossian, IA, with Rev Daryl Schultz presiding. Burial will

07/12/2025

Leonard Kuboushek, age 90, of Spillville, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Church. There will be a rosary starting at 1:30 p.m. before the visitation. There will be no visitation prior to the service at the church on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School or St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

Full obituary to follow.

Leonard Kuboushek, age 90, of Spillville, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1030 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, 207 Church St., Spillville, Iowa with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Bu...