Helen B. Sharp

Helen Bernice Busse Sharp, 89, of Ankeny, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, died Sunday, Feb. 22 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, in Des Moines, Iowa.  A private celebration of Helen’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa, with the Rev. Fred Lewis officiating.  Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.  

The family suggests memorials be given to the Helen B. Sharp Memorial Fund c/o Jane Snyder, 28126 US Hwy., 69, Ames, Iowa  50010.

Helen was born Oct. 23, 1925, to Herman and Lenora (Neiland) Busse on a farm near Fairbank, Iowa, in Fayette County.  Later the family moved to a farm near Oran in Bremer County.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank.  She graduated from Oran High School in 1943.

Helen was united in marriage to Merle Sharp on March 2, 1946.  They lived in Oran where Merle started his teaching career.  During their marriage they moved to several towns throughout Iowa while Merle advanced from teaching to administration in school.  Helen worked in many restaurants, the newspaper office in Neola, an assistant to the Hancock County Public Health Nurse, administrative assistant at the Garner Care Center, and bookkeeper for B.D. Laughery Implement in Bayard.  When Merle retired they moved to Ventura.  Helen continued to work and worked for Houck Drug for 15 years.  She also did volunteer work for the Bayard Nursing Home and Clear Lake Oakwood Care Center serving on the Care Review Committee Board.  Helen was honored and given an award for 25 years of volunteer work in Clear Lake.

Helen is survived by her three children, James Sharp, of Grinnell, Iowa, Robert (LuAnn) Sharp, of Davenport, Iowa, and Jane (Don) Snyder, of Ames.  Nine grandchildren, Jill (Chris) Strawhacker, of Ames, Melissa (David) Hansen, of Honey Creek, Jody (Steve) Smith, of New Sharon, Marcy (Ned) Wempen, of Bennington, Neb., Alex Sharp, of Davenport, Garrett Sharp, of Winter Park, Colo., Elizabeth Sharp, of Iowa City, Ashley (Aaron) Butcher, of Ames, Andrew (Desirae) Snyder, of Ankeny; 10 great-grandchildren, Jonah and Cameron Strawhacker, Claire and Ben Hansen, Grant Smith, Noah, Seth, Amelia and Naomi Wempen, Ethan Butcher; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merle in 1987; sister, Eulalia Klemp; and a brother who died in infancy.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.