
Helen Dawes
Helen Dawes, 96, of Adel, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 22, 2023, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Helen was born on Feb. 4, 1927, to Ruby Dawson Wicks of rural Adel; her father, Leroy Wicks, died 12 days before she was born. Helen graduated from Adel High School in 1946. After graduation, she worked with her sister, Lola, in Des Moines at the ACS office and the Iowa State Tax Commission.
Helen married Lowell Dawes on June 6, 1948. Helen and Lowell grew up less than half a mile from each other. They rode horses together to the country school, and both went to Adel High School. Lowell and Helen celebrated 67 wedding anniversaries together. Her family and faith were always the center of her life.
Helen enjoyed her S&V Club, card party groups, the Red Hat Society, and playing cribbage and bridge. Helen grew up in the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren and was active in the church her entire life. She taught Sunday school, served on the Church Board, decorated the worship center, and worked with the Women’s Fellowship and Food Committees.
Helen will be greatly missed by her surviving children, Nick (Peg) Dawes, Barb Dawes, John (Mark Walker); daughter-in-law Marilyn Dawes; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son, C. Randall (Randy) Dawes; two sisters; brother; and granddaughter-in-law, Laurie Tryon Dawes.
A funeral service was held March 28 at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren northwest of Adel. Burial will take place at the Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Helen’s memory to the Panther Creek Church or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.
Helen married Lowell Dawes on June 6, 1948. Helen and Lowell grew up less than half a mile from each other. They rode horses together to the country school, and both went to Adel High School. Lowell and Helen celebrated 67 wedding anniversaries together. Her family and faith were always the center of her life.
Helen enjoyed her S&V Club, card party groups, the Red Hat Society, and playing cribbage and bridge. Helen grew up in the Panther Creek Church of the Brethren and was active in the church her entire life. She taught Sunday school, served on the Church Board, decorated the worship center, and worked with the Women’s Fellowship and Food Committees.
Helen will be greatly missed by her surviving children, Nick (Peg) Dawes, Barb Dawes, John (Mark Walker); daughter-in-law Marilyn Dawes; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her son, C. Randall (Randy) Dawes; two sisters; brother; and granddaughter-in-law, Laurie Tryon Dawes.
A funeral service was held March 28 at Panther Creek Church of the Brethren northwest of Adel. Burial will take place at the Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Helen’s memory to the Panther Creek Church or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.