Helen Layman, age 86, of Newell, died Monday, December 24, at the Newell Good Samaritan Center.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, December 27, at the United Methodist Church in Newell. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery at a later date. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, at the church, beginning at 9:30 am that morning.

Helen Victoria Kellander was born on March 2, 1921 to Harold and Victoria (Freeburg) Kellander in Alta, Iowa.  She attended grade school at Alta and graduated from Alta High School in 1940.  Following graduation, Helen attended Nursing School at the Methodist Hospital in Sioux City where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
    
On October 7, 1943, Helen was united in marriage to Dean R. Layman.  The couple was blessed with two children: Rick and Vicki.
    
Helen was an active member of the American Legion Auxilary, Eastern Star, the Newell United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women’s group.
    
During her life, Helen worked as a nurse in the Newell and Storm Lake areas.  She later worked as a postal clerk in Newell.  In her retirement, Helen and Dean traveled together.
    
Helen will be remembered as a woman with a positive outgoing attitude, who never met a stranger.  She found much enjoyment in life, as evidenced by her love of family and friends.  Additionally, Helen loved reading books and cooking.  She loved flowers, whether they were at her home or at the nursing home.
    
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Reverend Rick Layman of Shell Rock, Iowa; her daughter, Vicki Medici of Newell; grandchildren: Troy Medici of Newell, Heather Layman of Shell Rock and Jennifer Layman of Cincinnati, Ohio; great-granddaughter Micaiah; sister, Irene Mobley of Hampton, Virginia; extended family and many friends.
    
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Victoria Kellander and her beloved husband, Dean.