In Memory of Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales



Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales
Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales
Born: June 7, 1925
Died: December 29, 2017
Age: 92
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Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales
June 7, 1925 - December 29, 2017
From: Battle Creek, IA

Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales, age 92, of Battle Creek, Iowa, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Reverend Kevin J. Freese will officiate; with Committal Services following in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church, of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Helen Marie (Pryor) Sales, the daughter of Howard and Leta (Straight) Pryor was born on June 7, 1925, at the home of her paternal grandparents in Council Bluffs, IA.

Her early years were spent in rural Logan and Dunlap, IA, were her parents farmed. She began kindergarten in Dunlap, but soon moved to the country where she was advanced to the 1st grade. This resulted in her early graduation at the age of 16. She shared fond memories of her youth in Willow Township, attending school at Willow #3 and Willow #4 country school.  At the age of 80 years old, Helen was able to trace her youth with her daughters throughout the Loess Hills and took us to these schools and the farms where she spent her youth.

Helen’s parents moved to Woodbine when she was in junior high school. She and her sister, Cleo, boarded in Dunlap during the week and returned home on the weekends.  During this time, she babysat for a school teacher and worked at the drug store. Helen graduated from Dunlap High School in 1942.

On February 26, 1944, Helen married Lou Dale Sales in Omaha, Ne. They began their married life in Woodbine, IA before relocating to Battle Creek, IA in 1945; where they have shared 73 years of marriage together. The family grew in size with the births of their five girls, Jeannette, Barbara, Diane, Charlotte, and Karen (Corky). As Dad would say, he was surrounded by six women. Home was like a college dormitory with the business of all our activities. Many times our mother would be mistaken for “just one of the girls”.

Helen was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek, IA, where she was honored as a 50 year member. Helen enjoyed working with the Presbyterian women to served the local Lyons Club and also belonged to the Pleasant Valley Women’s Club.

Helen was a wonderful role model for us. She led by her honesty and respect for other people. One of her sayings was “If you don’t have something nice to say about someone, don’t say anything at all”. (A good lesson for all of us). With all the responsibilities of being a farm wife, there was not a lot of extra time for hobbies.  Helen was an extraordinary cook and forever in the kitchen cooking and baking, knowing on any day that Dad would bring the feed salesman or delivery man in for lunch or a noon meal.

As the years passed and we girls left home, Mom and Dad began golfing, playing cards, traveling and dancing. Oh, how they loved to dance! They enjoyed the “big bands” and sharing that time with many friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sister Cleo Wolfson; brother Robert Pryor; an infant brother Bernard Pryor; grandson Lynn Ott; great-grandsons Smith and Wesson Blackmore; great-granddaughter Lindsey Quirk; and son-in-law Richard “Dick” Meier.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Lou Dale Sales; daughters Jeannette (Richard) Ott, Barbara Meier; Diane (Tom) Castle, Charlotte (Bill) Uhl, and Karen “Corky” (Darwin) Blackmore; grandchildren Kevin Ott, Susan (Calvin) Carver, Sandra (Bill) Allen, Sherri (Kel) Anderson, Shelli (Jason) Dannenberg, Michael (Heidi) Meier, Adam (Randi) Castle, Jeana (Lane) Todd, Matthew (Sandy) Castle, Sarah (Micah) Gitlin, Lori (Darrin) Roeder, Lisa (Bryan) Quirk, Sean (Tamie) Blackmore, and Shannon (Jenny) Blackmore; 35 great-grandchildren; brother Bill (Carol) Pryor; and extended family and friends.


SERVICES

10:30 am, Wednesday,
January 3, 2017

First Presbyterian Church
Battle Creek, Iowa

OFFICIATING

Reverend Kevin J. Freese

CASKET BEARERS

Pallbearers (Grandsons)
Kevin Ott
Adam Castle
Matthew Castle
Sean Blackmore
Shannon Blackmore
Michael Meier

Honorary Palbearers (Grandfaughters)
Lori (Uhl) Roeder
Lisa (Uhl) Quirk
Susan (Ott) Carver
Sandra (Ott) Allen
Jeana (Castle) Todd
Sarah (Castle) Gitlin
Sherri (Meier) Anderson
Shelli (Meier) Dannenberg

VISITATION

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm,
Tuesday, January 2, 2017

First Presbyterian Church
Battle Creek, Iowa

MUSIC

Dixie Brueck, Organist
Mary Jo Watson, Pianist

Instrumental Selection
"How Great Thou Art"

Vocal Selection
"In The Garden" By Sarah (Castle) Gitlin

Recorded Selections
"The Lord's Prayer" By Sherri (Meier) Anderson
"Woodchopper's Ball" By Glenn Miller

INTERMENT

Mount Hope Cemetery
Battle Creek, Iowa


Condolences


Friday, January 5, 2018 at 9:22 AM
“My sympathy to all the family for the loss of Helen. Sorry to hear about her passing. She was a beautiful lady, so are all her daughters. Prayers to all the family. I worked with Charlotte at the bank in Sioux City back in 1967. Then lived in Ida Grove for some time. Cathy (Sands) Trampe”
- Cathy (Sands) Trampe
Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 10:32 AM
“My sympathy to all the family for the loss of Helen. While I was there all the time at Good Sam, she was always such a lady and never complained about anything like so many do. A beautiful lady also and I am sure a wonderful wife and Mother. I loved the part they told about her and Lou dancing. Those are the most wonderful memories. ”
- Janice McGuire
Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 10:32 AM
“I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I have fond memories of spending nights at your house. Your mother was such a welcoming person and a wonderful role model for her daughters. Love to you all, Wanda”
- Wanda Procaccini
Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 9:58 AM
“Our thoughts are with you at this time. Sorry for your loss.”
- Gaylin Fey
Monday, January 1, 2018 at 11:12 AM
“Jeannette and family,
We are sorry to hear of your moms passing. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Sincerely, Jim and Shelly Vesper”
- Shelly (Main) Vesper
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 4:50 PM
“Sad to hear about your Mother. She was a great cook and had a terrific smile and personality. I hope you find comfort in the Lords promises knowing we will be with her again.”
- Karen Strackbein Rupiper
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:04 PM
“Corky, Lou Dale and family, we are saddened to read of Helen's passing. She was such a quiet, sweet lady, always giving a compliment, always a big smile and a gentle personality. As her obituary said, I never heard her to say a bad thing about anyone. She always looked for the good in people and I believe, she was wise beyond words. She will be greatly missed by all of us. She now rests in Heaven in the arms of her Lord and we know that we will see her again when we join her in our real home in Heaven. May God grant you His eternal peace.
Loren and Janice Jepsen”
- Janice and Loren Jepsen
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:04 PM
“Corky, Lou Dale and family,
We were indeed saddened to read of Helen's passing. She was a wonderful lady, quiet but cordial, always a smile and a compliment. I never heard her speak badly of anyone, always looking for the good in people. She was a very wise woman but never thought of herself better than anyone. She will be missed by many but now rests in the arms of her Loving Lord and Savior in Heaven where we are promised to see her again when we reach our real home. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers and may He grant you His eternal Peace.
Loren and Janice Jepsen”
- Loren and Janice Jepsen
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:04 PM
“My deepest sympathy for the loss of Helen. No matter the age or illness the loss still hurts.
- Fern Krayenhagen
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:04 PM
“With sincere condolences from the not so far removed Sales family. I'm Lou Dale's first cousin once removed.”
- Fred E. Sales
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:03 PM
“She will b greatly missed. She was a loving...funny n classy woman. Give em hell up there Helen! ”
- Andrea kinning
Sunday, December 31, 2017 at 12:03 PM
“To Barb & Family, I know this has been a long road for you - fast or slow - it's never easy. I pray that our music will be like a salve that calms your soul.”
- Mary Jo Watson
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