In Loving Memory
Helen M. Merrill
September 11, 1931 – February 23, 2025
Helen’s service will be livestreamed on the Martin Mattice Funeral Home Facebook page.
VISITATION
Friday, February 28, 2025
4:00 – 6:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa
SERVICE
Saturday, March 1, 2025
10:30 A.M.
First United Methodist Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa
CLERGY
Rev. Kolleen Queener
INTERMENT
Silver Lake Cemetery
Ayrshire, Iowa
Helen May (Kassel), 93, was sent to her eternal home on February 23, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Helen was born September 11, 1931 on the family farm south of Ayrshire to David and Hazel (Smith) Kassel.
Growing up Helen was actively involved in 4-H and farm life. She enjoyed playing the trumpet in the school band. She received her education in Ayrshire, class of 1949, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Howard Wendell Merrill. Helen and Howard were united in marriage on December 30, 1949 and went on to have two sons, Douglas Howard and Craig David.
Howard and Helen made their home on the farm southeast of Ayrshire where Helen stayed until 2018 when she moved to PARC Hall.
Helen thoroughly loved living and working on the farm, and she had a special fondness for the dairy cows. There were always numerous well-cared for cats running around the farm, inside and out, along with many pet dogs over the years. She was actively involved with the Ayrshire United Methodist Church teaching Sunday School, participating in women’s circle and serving at the annual Chicken Supper. Helen was also a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Helen enjoyed Doug and Craig’s involvement in 4-H with various projects and especially traveling to local, county and state calf shows, as well as the yearly Iowa State Fair.
After the passing of her husband, Howard, in September of 1990 Helen especially focused on church, grandkids and family.
Helen was a superb cook and baker and without fail had a chocolate chip cookie waiting for you when you came to visit at the house. There were countless holidays celebrated with Helen at the helm – Sunday meals, New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, to name a few.
She is survived by her two sons, Douglas (Marjory) and Craig (Kathy) both of Emmetsburg; three grandchildren Bridget (Craig) Merrill-Myhre of Excelsior, MN, Brittany (Aaron) Hernandez of Windom, MN, and Brian (Kendall) Merrill of Curlew, IA; four great grandchildren Noah Hernandez, Macklan and Lexington Myhre and Elnora Merrill; and her sister, Carol Scott of Springfield, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; parents, David and Hazel Kassel and brother, Kenneth Kassel.
The family would like to extend their utmost thanks to the staff at PARC Hall for the amazing care provided to Helen the last six plus years.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home, martinmatticefuneralhome.com