Helen Hazel Burkholder

November 23, 2015

Helen Burkholder, 101, of Mason City, IA died Monday, November 23, 2015 at Good Shepherd Health Center. A Graveside service will be held at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Helen Hazel (Howell) Burkholder was born on October 1, 1914 to John Howell and Grace (Stephenson) Howell in Sedalia, Missouri. She was the youngest of three children. On February 4, 1932 in Galena, IL, Helen married Claude Hobbs. To this union two children were born: Allan and Thomas Hobbs. The couple later divorced. Helen later remarried to William Kelly in Albert Lea, MN. The family made their home in Mason City. Joseph took part in raising Helen’s two boys. Helen became a widow after William passed away in 1954. Helen again remarried to Raymond Burkholder. Helen and her husband remained in Mason City. Helen became a widow again in 1966 when Raymond passed away. Helen was an extremely good mother. She also was a wonderful caretaker to her mother who lived with her for some time. Helen had a close relationship with her sister and also loved spending time with her grandchildren. Those left to cherish her memory include: her daughter-in-law, Carol Coates Kelly of Greeley, Colorado; her four grandchildren by Allan and Carol: Leanne Grace Iarossi (Mike) of Simi Valley, CA; Laura Lee Kelly of Fountain, CO; Lynette Sue Johnson (Steve) of Ft. Collins, CO; and Wade Allan Kelly (Laura) of Loveland, CO; and four great-grandchildren (oldest to youngest): Erik Carson Howard (Meaghan) of Riverhead, NY, and Sarah Desireé Howard Stennett (Sean) of Colorado Springs, CO, the children of Laura Lee Kelly; Jack Aaron Apelbaum and Shayna Ariel Apelbaum, the children of Leanne Iarossi; and four great-great-grandchildren: Holden Christopher, Jamison Erik, Hunter Luke, and Allison Joy, the children of Sarah Howard Stennett (Sean); and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her two husbands: William Kelly and Raymond Burkholder; her sons, Allan and Thomas Hobbs; her parents, John and Grace Howell; her older brother, Cecil Howell; and her older sister, Irene Patterson. Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401, 641-423-8676 www.Fullertonfh.com