Donnis Helbourg, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Atlantic Specialty Care.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Visitation with the family present will begin one hour prior to the service on Tuesday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests the planting of a tree in Donnis’ memory.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Donnis’ family and her arrangements.
Donnis Louise was born in the family home on a farm located on North Olive Street, near Atlantic, Iowa, on March 20, 1932, the daughter of Louis and Bertha (Goettsch) Helbourg. She rode her horse to Pymosa No. 8 – the Five Mile Grove – rural school north of Atlantic. Donnis was active in 4-H activities in her youth and provided demonstrations on food preservation and furniture refinishing, which eventually led to her lifelong love for antiques. She sold savings stamps and bonds with the 4-H club at Woolworth’s and Bojen’s during the war . She spent her summer helping her father around the farm doing various chores including driving the tractor for him. Donnis graduated from Atlantic High School in 1949.
After high school she began working for J.C. Penneys as a cashier then bookkeeper. Donnis had many opportunities to travel with the Rural Youth Program and traveled to 48 of the states. She also was delighted when the family got a new television and she was able to watch “Jack Benny”, “Arthur Godfrey” and “This Is Your Life.” She became a member of Beta Sigma Phi social sorority and received the Order of the Rose Degree. Donnis was a charter member of the Cass County Genealogical Chapter. She was a member of the United Church of Christ.
She worked as a bookkeeper in retails stores after Penneys closed in Atlantic. Donnis was not one to sit still always busy gardening, quilting, sewing, crafting and volunteering. She was always there and welcomed her extended family. Christmas Eve was the highlight of Donnis’ year. Her annual five course Christmas Eve dinner didn’t disappoint; her family treasured the time together and appreciated the effort Donnis put into every detail. Her generosity and hospitality will never be forgotten.
Donnis is survived by her niece, Jolene (Duane) Laugerman of Grimes, Iowa, and their children, Joanna of West Des Moines, Janelle of Des Moines, Andrew of Grimes, and Alex of Grimes; nephew, Jeff Coomes of Atlantic; cousins, Russell Goettsch, Sharon Svuba, LaVerne Goettsch; and many beloved extended family members.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Bertha Helbourg; sister, Lois Coomes; brother, Leroy Helbourg; brother-in-law, Dean Coomes; and niece, Janelle Coomes.
