Helms Funeral Homes

02/25/2026

Pre-planning your funeral allows your story to be told your way. 🌿

From music and readings to meaningful details that reflect your life, planning ahead gives you the opportunity to personalize every aspect - while giving your loved ones peace of mind. Thoughtful planning today can become a lasting gift for those you care about most. ❤️

02/23/2026

Colonel Richard William Groux (Ret.), United States Air Force, a distinguished aviator, devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, in Rome, Georgia, at the age of 97.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Saint Aloysius Church, 304 N. Maryville St., Calmar, IA, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding. Burial to follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Rosary will start before the visitation at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The General and Mrs. Curtis E. LeMay Foundation, 21824 Cactus Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, CA 92518.

View Col. Richard William Groux's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/21/2026

Sarah Ottesen, age 89, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at her home in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Madison Lutheran Church, 2658 Madison Road, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. David E. Schafer presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water Street, Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation prior to the service at the church on Tuesday morning, please come in and be seated.

Full obituary to follow.

View Sarah Ottesen's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/20/2026

Rescheduled.

Lona Mae (Lien) Anderson, 91, of Decorah, Iowa, formerly of Calmar, passed away peacefully at her home in West Union, Iowa, on February 14, 2026, surrounded by her sons, Steve and Jim, following a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Services have been rescheduled due to inclement weather. See updates below.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Eric Thiele presiding. Burial will be in the Springfield cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Monday morning.

View Lona Mae Anderson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/20/2026

National Caregivers Day
Today, we want to spotlight some special unsung heroes: caregivers. Their kindness, patience, and selflessness make a meaningful difference every day. 💙

If you're a caregiver, your dedication does not go unnoticed, and the care you give leaves a lasting impact on the lives you touch.

Take a moment to recognize and thank a caregiver who inspires you this National Caregivers Day. 🌼

02/17/2026

Gary Franzen, age 69, of Ossian, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 16, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the West Union Event Center, 10201 Harding Rd. West Union, Iowa, 52175. Private burial will take place at a later date.

Per the family's request, Do not send flowers. Memorials for Gary can go to WinnMed Hospice, Springfield Church, and/or Ossian Fire Department.

View Gary Franzen's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/16/2026

Lona Mae (Lien) Anderson, age 91, of Decorah, Iowa, formerly Calmar, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her two sons Steve and Jim.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Pastor Eric Thiele presiding. Burial will be in the Springfield cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday morning.

Full obituary to follow.

View Lona Mae Anderson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/11/2026

Joyce Marie Langreck, age 80, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, after a short illness.

Funeral services are pending at this time.

In lieu of flowers donations and memorials can be sent to the family in memory of Joyce.

Full obituary to follow.

View Joyce Langreck's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/10/2026

Caryl Sharp, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at The Highlands (Aase Haugen) in Decorah, Iowa.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Russell cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations and memorials may be sent to the family in memory of Caryl.

Full obituary to follow.

View Caryl Sharp's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/09/2026

Joyce Ode, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Wellington Place in Decorah, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Burial will be in the Washington Prairie Cemetery at a later date.

View Joyce Ode's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/09/2026

Dennis C. “Denny” Boyer, age 90, of St. Lucas passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at his home surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at St. Luke Catholic Church, St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial to follow in the church cemetery with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the church on Friday, February 13, 2026. There will be no visitation at the church on Saturday morning, please come in and be seated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations can be made out to the family in memory of Denny.

Full obituary to follow.

View Dennis C. "Denny" Boyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

02/06/2026

Bill Dotseth, age 66, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Helms Funeral Homes, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, Iowa.

There will be no formal services at this time.

Burial will be held at the Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family in memory of Bill.

Full obituary to follow.

View Bill Dotseth's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.