Obituary of Kenneth John Helle

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Kenneth John Helle, 74, of Dyersville IA, passed away peacefully at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday February 21, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

Friends & family may visit from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 28, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville.  Visitation will continue at Kramer Funeral Home from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Thursday prior to funeral mass.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday Feb. 29, 2024, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, IA with Father Gabriel Mensah officiating.

Ken was born on August 29, 1949, in Earlville, IA to Donald and Ardella (Deppe) Helle. On Aug 10, 1968, Ken walked across the dance floor in New Vienna and asked a young strawberry blond girl, Rita Tauke, to dance and changed their lives forever. On Aug. 19, 1972, they were married in Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg, IA. From this union three precious children were born and a wonderful, fulfilling life was had.

Ken graduated from Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville and then attended Loras College. He worked at Hub’s Repair Shop, John Deere and finally fulfilled his true vocation, farming on the home farm in Dyersville. Ken always said that he found God in those fields. Ken was known to be able to repair, modify or invent ways to keep everything running on the farm. He felt fortunate that his son also acquired the love of farming, and he was able to be a part of it until his passing. Ken’s greatest love was his family, always attending their events and encouraging their efforts.

Ken was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Tri- County Sportsman and past director of New Vienna Mutual Insurance. Ken loved to fish, especially enjoying fishing trips to Chetek, WI with good friends. He also loved to play solo with friends and riding his Polaris side-by-side around the farm.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Rita, sons: Russell (Dawn) Helle of Dyersville, Craig (Carrie) Helle of Des Moines and daughter, Jennifer Helle (fiancé Brian Werner) of Delhi; grandchildren: Grace (special friend Zack Clemen), Kenneth and Katie Helle, Luke Helle, Becca (special friend Chase Breitbach), Bryce & Danielle Ploessl, Taylor & Josalyn Burlage, Brylee, Brant & Braelyn Werner; sibling, Loras (Glenda) Helle of Sergeant Bluff IA; In-laws: Jerome Heims of Ryan, Cindy Helle of Cedar Rapids, Jerome (Shirley) Tauke of Dyersville, Laverne (Linda) Tauke, & Therese Maiers of Holy Cross, Gerald (Jean) Tauke & Aggie Tauke (Roger Kurt) of Dubuque, Lois (Jeff) Maiers of Salado, TX., and Doris (Lett) Garvey of Phoenix, AZ, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Dianne Heims and Bob Helle; parents-in law Ambrose and Anna Mae Tauke, brother-in-law Ronald Maiers, nephew Kevin Tauke and great nephew Griffin Tauke.

The family would like to thank Father Chris Podhajsky of the Spires of Faith Cluster, Dr. Cynthia Konz, MD and the staff of Grand River Medical Group, the staff of Hospice of Dubuque and especially Ken’s care nurse Carrie, and all our family and friends for all your support and prayers. You have all made this process bearable.