Helen Einck

Helen Ione Einck, 100, died Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 11th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home with Sister Diana Blong from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church officiating. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service. Friends are invited to join the family for lunch following the committal service at the Columbus Club, 502 W. Clark Street, Charles City.

Helen was born December 19, 1925, in Charles City to Anthony John and Katherine Ellizabeth (Doerr) Einck. The family moved to a farm outside New Hampton when she was seven. She attended country school through eighth grade and later proudly obtained her GED. Helen worked for F. W Woolworth's, Ben Franklin, and Theisen's in several positions, including management of the Ben Franklin store in Osage.

Helen helped care for all her nieces and nephews through the years. She stayed with her sisters when a new baby arrived to help; came back again and again to help provide another pair of hands. Her time and attention is very much appreciated by her family and there are numerous anecdotes about spending time with Aunt Helen.

Helen was an avid reader – biographies, autobiographies, westerns, mysteries and non-fiction books were always around. She was also a big fan of crossword puzzles and regularly worked on them with her sister, Ardis. She loved caring for her houseplants and had a green thumb that worked miracles. Helen enjoyed cooking and baking – helping prepare food for summer picnics and family holidays. She was well known in the family for her cookie trays and salads.

Helen was able to travel to New York City several times on buying trips for Ben Franklin. She enjoyed these trips and the opportunity to experience a place so different from Charles City.

Helen is survived by many nieces and nephews: Margaret Trenary, Shari Schmitt, Don (Mary) Schmitt, Liz (Larry) Wagner, Ellen Flaherty, Art Schmitt, Walt (Paula) Schmitt, Barb Schmitt, Clarence (Christine) Schmitt, Norman (Brenda) Schmitt, Leo (Shawna) Einck, BJ Vance, Daisy Segal, Carol (Ed) Schmadeke, Lyle (Karen) Schmitt, Marilyn (Richard) Gaule, Wayne Wiltse, Donna Mihm, Dennis Mihm, Lorri (Dave) Brown, Jeanine (Ken) Douglas, Charles (Shirley) Mihm, John (Deb) Mihm, Cheri (Gary) Thomas, Jan Dickson, Cathy (Merlin Davis) Carr-Davis, and Cindy (JR Castleberry) Carr. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Donald (Margaret) and Wayne (Leatrice) Einck; and sisters, Vera (Matthias) Schmitt, Oril (William) Schmitt, Ardis (Robert) Wiltse, Ila (Charley) Mihm and Dorothy (Clarence) Carr, and nieces and nephews Jerome Schmitt, Larry Trenary, Denis Flaherty, Marc Segal, Ken Jones, Sharon Mihm, Tony Seiler and Dean Dickson.