Helen Gertrude Abarr Posten died on August 3, 2015, at the age of 104 in Georgetown, Texas. She was born in Diagonal (Ringgold County), Iowa, to Bessie (Harris) and Alvin John Abarr on St. Patrick's Day in 1911. She had a younger brother, Leland "Lee" Harris, and an older brother, Ardath. Her father moved their family and his veterinary practice to Clearfield, a nearby southwest Iowa community. Helen graduated from Clearfield High School.
Helen was strong in her Methodist faith and trust in God. In 1932, she became a music teacher after completing a two year training program at Simpson College - a Methodist based school - in Indianola, Iowa. Once teaching certifications became a requirement, Helen furthered her education graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a BS in Reading and Music Elementary Education. Helen taught in Iowa for 30 years - the last 23 years in Creston.
Contrary to most teachers of that era, Helen married George "Lyle" Posten on October 3, 1936. Helen and Lyle had two children: Terry Lyle Posten who died a few days after birth; and Jane Lynette Posten.
After retiring from teaching in the mid 70's, Helen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her retirement, Helen did extensive genealogical research of the Abarr family and enjoyed needlepointing Christmas ornaments which she shared with many. She loved to travel. Helen made it to all 50 of the United States and enjoyed several island cruises. At the age of 80, she flew in a hot air balloon!
Helen moved to Austin in the late 70's to be with her daughter, Jane. She was an active member of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Helen loved the music program - in particular, the "bells program." She was faithful with her attendance in Sunday school and the United Methodist Women. When needed, she would gladly grace the congregation with a piano performance. Helen also shared her music with the Walk to Emmaus, PEO and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held offices at the national and local level for the latter two.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband Lyle, son Terry, and daughter Jane.
She is survived by her brother Ardath's children: Phyllis Wood, Cecil Abarr, Carol Lee Fisher, and Larry Abarr; and her brother Lee's daughters: Janice Walsh and Lynn Abarr-Boubelik. Additional survivors include her half-sister, Ann Bennett.
The family wishes to thank the East Wing staff of The Wesleyan at the Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, for the grace they have shared with Helen over the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, in Austin, Texas. Helen's ashes will be buried in the family plot in Gravity, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, Helen wished that memorial contributions be made to the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church Missions Program.
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2015
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Helen was strong in her Methodist faith and trust in God. In 1932, she became a music teacher after completing a two year training program at Simpson College - a Methodist based school - in Indianola, Iowa. Once teaching certifications became a requirement, Helen furthered her education graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a BS in Reading and Music Elementary Education. Helen taught in Iowa for 30 years - the last 23 years in Creston.
Contrary to most teachers of that era, Helen married George "Lyle" Posten on October 3, 1936. Helen and Lyle had two children: Terry Lyle Posten who died a few days after birth; and Jane Lynette Posten.
After retiring from teaching in the mid 70's, Helen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her retirement, Helen did extensive genealogical research of the Abarr family and enjoyed needlepointing Christmas ornaments which she shared with many. She loved to travel. Helen made it to all 50 of the United States and enjoyed several island cruises. At the age of 80, she flew in a hot air balloon!
Helen moved to Austin in the late 70's to be with her daughter, Jane. She was an active member of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Helen loved the music program - in particular, the "bells program." She was faithful with her attendance in Sunday school and the United Methodist Women. When needed, she would gladly grace the congregation with a piano performance. Helen also shared her music with the Walk to Emmaus, PEO and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held offices at the national and local level for the latter two.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband Lyle, son Terry, and daughter Jane.
She is survived by her brother Ardath's children: Phyllis Wood, Cecil Abarr, Carol Lee Fisher, and Larry Abarr; and her brother Lee's daughters: Janice Walsh and Lynn Abarr-Boubelik. Additional survivors include her half-sister, Ann Bennett.
The family wishes to thank the East Wing staff of The Wesleyan at the Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, for the grace they have shared with Helen over the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, in Austin, Texas. Helen's ashes will be buried in the family plot in Gravity, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, Helen wished that memorial contributions be made to the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church Missions Program.
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2015
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Helen Gertrude Abarr Posten died on August 3, 2015, at the age of 104 in Georgetown, Texas. She was born in Diagonal (Ringgold County), Iowa, to Bessie (Harris) and Alvin John Abarr on St. Patrick's Day in 1911. She had a younger brother, Leland "Lee" Harris, and an older brother, Ardath. Her father moved their family and his veterinary practice to Clearfield, a nearby southwest Iowa community. Helen graduated from Clearfield High School.
Helen was strong in her Methodist faith and trust in God. In 1932, she became a music teacher after completing a two year training program at Simpson College - a Methodist based school - in Indianola, Iowa. Once teaching certifications became a requirement, Helen furthered her education graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a BS in Reading and Music Elementary Education. Helen taught in Iowa for 30 years - the last 23 years in Creston.
Contrary to most teachers of that era, Helen married George "Lyle" Posten on October 3, 1936. Helen and Lyle had two children: Terry Lyle Posten who died a few days after birth; and Jane Lynette Posten.
After retiring from teaching in the mid 70's, Helen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her retirement, Helen did extensive genealogical research of the Abarr family and enjoyed needlepointing Christmas ornaments which she shared with many. She loved to travel. Helen made it to all 50 of the United States and enjoyed several island cruises. At the age of 80, she flew in a hot air balloon!
Helen moved to Austin in the late 70's to be with her daughter, Jane. She was an active member of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Helen loved the music program - in particular, the "bells program." She was faithful with her attendance in Sunday school and the United Methodist Women. When needed, she would gladly grace the congregation with a piano performance. Helen also shared her music with the Walk to Emmaus, PEO and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held offices at the national and local level for the latter two.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband Lyle, son Terry, and daughter Jane.
She is survived by her brother Ardath's children: Phyllis Wood, Cecil Abarr, Carol Lee Fisher, and Larry Abarr; and her brother Lee's daughters: Janice Walsh and Lynn Abarr-Boubelik. Additional survivors include her half-sister, Ann Bennett.
The family wishes to thank the East Wing staff of The Wesleyan at the Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, for the grace they have shared with Helen over the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, in Austin, Texas. Helen's ashes will be buried in the family plot in Gravity, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, Helen wished that memorial contributions be made to the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church Missions Program.
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2015
-------------------------
Helen was strong in her Methodist faith and trust in God. In 1932, she became a music teacher after completing a two year training program at Simpson College - a Methodist based school - in Indianola, Iowa. Once teaching certifications became a requirement, Helen furthered her education graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a BS in Reading and Music Elementary Education. Helen taught in Iowa for 30 years - the last 23 years in Creston.
Contrary to most teachers of that era, Helen married George "Lyle" Posten on October 3, 1936. Helen and Lyle had two children: Terry Lyle Posten who died a few days after birth; and Jane Lynette Posten.
After retiring from teaching in the mid 70's, Helen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. During her retirement, Helen did extensive genealogical research of the Abarr family and enjoyed needlepointing Christmas ornaments which she shared with many. She loved to travel. Helen made it to all 50 of the United States and enjoyed several island cruises. At the age of 80, she flew in a hot air balloon!
Helen moved to Austin in the late 70's to be with her daughter, Jane. She was an active member of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Helen loved the music program - in particular, the "bells program." She was faithful with her attendance in Sunday school and the United Methodist Women. When needed, she would gladly grace the congregation with a piano performance. Helen also shared her music with the Walk to Emmaus, PEO and Delta Kappa Gamma. She held offices at the national and local level for the latter two.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband Lyle, son Terry, and daughter Jane.
She is survived by her brother Ardath's children: Phyllis Wood, Cecil Abarr, Carol Lee Fisher, and Larry Abarr; and her brother Lee's daughters: Janice Walsh and Lynn Abarr-Boubelik. Additional survivors include her half-sister, Ann Bennett.
The family wishes to thank the East Wing staff of The Wesleyan at the Scenic in Georgetown, Texas, for the grace they have shared with Helen over the past four years.
A memorial service will be held at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, in Austin, Texas. Helen's ashes will be buried in the family plot in Gravity, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, Helen wished that memorial contributions be made to the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church Missions Program.
Published in Austin American-Statesman from Aug. 13 to Aug. 14, 2015
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