Helen C. Surber's Obituary
Ruby 'Helen' C. Surber, also known as 'The Copper Granny' age 72, of Seymour, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at her home south of Seymour. She was born the daughter of Lonnie Clark and Margaret Scarlett on June 24, 1942 in Centerville, Iowa. She received her education in Centerville High School and Indian Hills Community College where she received her CNA degree.On August 4, 1960, Helen was united in marriage to Clyde E. Surber in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was a cook at the Hotel Ottumwa, then after receiving her degree, she worked as a Nurses Aid in Centerville, Seymour and Corydon, Iowa. She was a mother to every child she knew, and was a talented cook, as she could make a meal out of anything. She also had a passion for reading, and doing puzzles, sewing and embroidering. She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Clyde Surber, Jr on December 14, 2010; son, James Surber on May 29, 1996; sisters, Deloris Mattly and Darlene Howell; brothers, Lonnie Clark, Jr, Raymond Clark and Donnie Clark.Helen is survived by: her sons, Roger Surber and his wife, Toni of Mystic, Iowa, Walter 'Ed' Surber and his wife, Paula of Brazil, Iowa and Clyde 'Buck' Surber, III of Seymour, Iowa; daughters, Margaret Jones and her husband, Michael of Mystic, Iowa and Stephanie Phelps and her husband, Mike of State Center, Iowa; a brother, Marvin Clark of Centerville, Iowa; sisters, Bessie Mattly of Davenport, Iowa, Fairy Buban of Brazil, Iowa, Dixie Foss of Centerville, Iowa, Connie Brown of Des Moines, Iowa, Jean Collins of Centerville, Iowa and Virginia Ontiveros of Centerville, Iowa; twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren.Funeral services will be held at 10 am, Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Stephanie Phelps officiating. Burial will follow in the Philadelphia Cemetery near Plano, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 from 2 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home with the family present from 6 pm until 8 pm.In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and left or mailed to the funeral home. The To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Helen C. Surber please visit our Sympathy Store.
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