Helen Louise Baumeister

     Helen Louise Baumeister, daughter of JR and Dolly Thorne (Lorenzen) was born October 5^th, 1926 at their family home near Moneta, IA.  She spent her younger years working on the farm with her dad. She attended Moneta schools through high school, graduating in 1943. After graduation, she continued to help on the farm. 

     While still in high school, Helen began taking flying lessons and got her pilots license at age 18.  She met her future husband at the airstrip on her dad’s farm where she taught him flying lessons. One of the fun things Helen  did with her dad, was to fly to Ohio and pick up 2 new planes.  

     On November 18, 1946 she married Don Baumeister of Everly, IA. Following their marriage, they moved to Sutherland to farm. After a couple yrs. they moved to Don’s hometown north of Everly to farm with his dad, William.

     Don and Helen loved playing cards with friends. Helen enjoyed reading, camping, crocheting, square dancing, singing and directing choirs. They were active in the Clay County 4H program and the Clay County Fair. In between fun things, Helen chose to sell Sara Coventry and loved socializing with others.

     Upon retirement, Helen and Don began traveling south in their camper. They ended up living in Pharr, Texas during the winter months where Helen directed the park choir, volunteered in a hospital nursery and helped with education of children in a reading program. 

     Don passed away in 1993 and Helen decided to become a permanent resident in the resort park in Texas. She kept very active throughout the yrs. and in 1997, she married Fred Charette of Canada. They spent time in Texas, Iowa, and Canada. Fred passed away in 1999 and Helen remained in her Texas home.

     In 2022 Helen moved to Accura Healthcare in Spirit Lake IA where she received wonderful care and met many new friends. On August 31, 2023, Helen passed away after a short illness. 

     Preceding her in death were  her parents; her 2 husbands: Don Baumeister and Fred Charette;  2 sons: Russell Baumeister and David Baumeister;  her brothers: Herbert Thorne, Bernard Thorne; her sister, Margorie Scharnberg and her great grandson, Kailer McKeag.

     Left to cherish her memory are her children: Eileen (Roger) Veum of Chaska, MN, Randy (Jerri) Baumeister of Ames, IA, Lloy Baumeister of Laguna, CA, Jean Baumeister of Murdock, NE; her brother, Hap Thorne of Moneta, IA; 9 grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Veum, Aaron (Lindsey) Veum, Mindy Veum Trapp, Adam (Kelly) Baumeister, Christi (Josh) Kampen, Derek Baumeister, Brandon Baumeister, Justin (Brianna) Baumeister and Quintin (Journie) Baumeister; her 8 great grandchildren; many friends and relatives.