Helen L. Chadima

Helen L. Chadima passed peacefully at age 96 on February 26, 2024, at her home in Iowa City, IA. A special thank you to all her caregivers since 2016! Helen had an incredibly strong faith, resilience, and joy of living. She was from a family of music educators, and her mother had taught her how to dance an Irish jig at age four. A fabulous wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, she was a friend to everyone. Her radiant smile and charismatic personality always lit up a room. She served hundreds of people around the Midwest with her vivaciousness, spiritual wisdom and artistic talents: family and friends, violin and piano students, Coe College students of Modern Dance and Astronomy, University of Iowa Dance Department for 20 years, and yoga/meditation students for 30 years. She choreographed Renaissance and Opera performances. Helen taught and performed her Baroque dance specialty around the country. In retirement, she played clarinet in two Iowa City bands for 18 years. She had also played violin in the Cedar Rapids Symphony, University Chamber Orchestra, and Quad Cities Symphony. Born in Centerville, IA, her family moved to Iowa City where she graduated from City High in 1946. Helen obtained her B.A. in Music from the University of Iowa in 1949. She married Richard W. Chadima on October 8, 1950 in Iowa City. They lived in Cedar Rapids where they raised two children, Kitty and Bruce, attending First Presbyterian Church. She loved gardening and was in the Cedar Rapids Garden Club, Beethoven Club and the Junior League among other groups. After starting dance classes in Cedar Rapids, she performed ballet, East Indian and Spanish dance around the Midwest with The Dance Theatre of the Hemispheres. She then obtained her M.A. in Dance 1981 teaching dance at the University of Iowa as a dance historian and becoming Chair of the Dance Department for three years. She became a Hancher reviewer for the Gazette and produced a 30-hour TV show on "The Art of Dance." She choreographed liturgical dances at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, where she was also a Deacon and yoga teacher. After retiring, Helen received a Society of Dance History Scholars Award of Distinction for being a pioneer in expanding and informing audiences for dance. Survivors include her daughter Kathryn L. Chadima, Iowa City, and grandson Bryan (Rhonda) Chadima, Playa del Ray, CA. Preceding her in death were her parents William Z. and Mabel Gower, Iowa City; brothers William T (Wilma) Gower, Hattiesburg, MS; and John Robert Gower, Charles City, IA; husband Richard W. Chadima, Iowa City; and son Bruce R. Chadima, Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life and reception will be held at 11 am, Thursday, March 21 at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, followed by a private burial at Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids. Memorial Funds may be directed to the church, 2701 Rochester Ave, Iowa City, IA 52245.