Helen Karas

Helen Karas, 87, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2009, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

Helen Verdelle Stone was born November 19, 1921, in Anita, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Anne (Andersen) Stone.

She grew up and attended school in Anita, graduating from Anita High School in 1939. On April 12, 1939, she married Elwin C. Karas. They lived and farmed in the Wiota, Anita and Massena areas where their 8 children were born. The couple celebrated 66 years together before Elwin passed away on November 17, 2005.

Helen was a member of the Atlantic Gospel Chapel and earlier in her life a member of a neighborhood card club, where bridge and pinochle were her favorites.

Besides being a homemaker, she did house cleaning for several people and businesses, and ran errands for many people.

She enjoyed cooking in almost every form. Helen's huge vegetable garden made it possible for her to do a vast amount of canning. Included in that were fruit wines she made from apples, cherries, rhubarb and elderberries. The aroma of homemade bread, and the always present desserts, spread throughout the home frequently. She usually had a stash of candy somewhere too. Other enjoyments Helen had were watching the hummingbirds, finches and butterflies moving about the beautiful flowers she loved. Earlier, when her children were younger, she sewed many clothes they wore, as well as doing embroidery. She cherished the time she spent with her children and grandchildren playing games, cards and putting puzzles together.

Helen is survived by her sons, Raymond (Joyce) Karas of Madison, WI, Kenneth Karas of Glendale, AZ, Rex Karas of Mt. Vernon, IA, and Ernie (Lori) Karas of Cedar Rapids, IA; her daughters, Marilyn (John) Zehms of Mount Vernon, IA and Jackie Bohms of Anita, IA; her sister, Elaine Stone of Albuquerque, NM; her brothers, Ralph (Marti) Stone of Palo Alto, CA and Delbert Stone of Grassvalley, CA; her sister-in-law, Betty Karas of Clearfield, IA; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Helen in death were her parents; 2 sons, Eugene Karas in infancy and Melwin Karas; her husband, Elwin Karas; a brother, Earl Stone, Jr; and 2 sisters, Jacquelyn Ruth Marino and Beverly Buccion.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2009, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, with burial in the Massena Cemetery.

Visitation will be
Sunday, Jan. 4, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. with family present from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., also at the funeral home in Anita.

Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.