Helene Quillin

Helene Aletha Fernau Quillin, was born May 18, 1944 and entered her eternal rest, December 16, 2020.

She was born to Dwight and Josie Ingham Fernau, and was welcomed by her two sisters Elizabeth and Evelyn. She completed most of her schooling in the Sioux Rapids, Iowa school system. She graduated from high school in 1962.

Following high school she continued her education at Mankato State University in Minnesota. She graduated with an Associate's Degree in 1964. She began her career of secretarial work which included jobs with the Spencer junior and senior high and the Iowa Lakes Community Colleges. When she retired she had served as the office manager for the Iowa Lakes Community College system for many years.

In 1962 she married Edgar Quillin. To this union, two sons were born, Greg in 1964, and Dwight in 1968. They lived in Estherville, Emmetsburg, and Spencer, Iowa, as Ed's advancement in the gas company took him to new assignments. Their final stop before retiring back to Iowa was Jackson, Minnesota. Helene expressed her feelings about these many moves in one of the poem's she wrote.

I've packed and packed, we've got boxes galore

We hardly have room to walk on the floor.

Ed's stacking them in piles marked To Apt or To Store

When he thinks he's about done — I say, ^ll Got one more"

Because of her responsibilities among the Iowa Lake's campuses, Helene spent many hours on the road sometimes fighting severe winter driving conditions.

In 2002, they wintered in Arizona where their son Dwight had lived since 1997. While there that winter their son Greg was killed in a motorcycle accident.

In the fall of 2003 they purchased a home in Sun City West and became permanent residents. Soon after arriving in Arizona, Ed's health began to fail. He passed away in February of 2004. Helene began working with the Maricopa County Posse in Sun City West and continued until her death. She loved the hours she was able to spend in the office and with men and women of the Posse.

She was a member of Sun City Christian Church and spent many hours helping with the newsletter/ serving dinners, and attending Bible studies.

She will be missed by those who knew and loved her for her quick wit and gift of giving.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edgar Quillin and son Greg. She is survived by her son Dwight of Eloy, Arizona, sisters Elizabeth Brugman of Sun City West, AZ and Evelyn Smith of Spencer, Iowa, daughter-in-law Toni Quillin and grandson Brenden of Spencer, Iowa, along with many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

VISITATION

INTERMENT