Helen Lanier

Helen G. Lanier, 88, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Christmas evening, December 25, 2006, at Colonial Manor in Anita, Iowa.
Helen Genevieve Dement Lanier was born on May 12, 1918, in Anita, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd and Genevieve (Schultz) Dement.
She attended school in Anita and graduated from Anita High School in 1935. She worked part time at West Iowa Telephone Co. in her senior year and into 1936. Helen taught at the Barber School in 1936. In 1937 she enrolled at St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska, and attended classes at St. Joseph's and Creighton University. She graduated in 1940 and worked at St. Joseph's Hospital for a few months after graduation. In 1941 she was employed by the Veterans Administration in Hines, Illinois.
On January 30, 1943, she was married to Robert. F. Lanier at the Presbyterian Chapel in Oak Park, Illinois. After their marriage she joined the Army Nurse Corp, entering the service on March 12, 1943. She received her training and served at Schick General Hospital in Clinton, Iowa; Camp Rucker, Alabama Station Hospital; and Camp Shelby at Mississippi Regional Hospital. 2nd Lt. (ANC) Helen Lanier was honorably discharged at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, on April 17, 1945.
Helen's husband, Robert, worked as an assistant geophysicist for Shell Oil Company's exploration division and they lived in various parts of the South for 27 years. During the 10 year period in New Orleans she worked at Brown McHardy Clinic. They retired to Anita in 1970.
Helen was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for most of her adult life. She belonged to L.W.M.L., bridge club, the P.E.O. Sisterhood and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. She quilted with the Women's Fellowship at the Congregational Church.
She is survived by her son Kelley Lanier and his wife, Sue of Metairie, Louisiana; daughter Susan Lanier of Atlantic, Iowa; granddaughter, Jennifer Cline and her husband, Tim of Granite Falls, North Carolina; great grandson, Joshua Cline; sister Jane Miller and her husband, Rex of Anita; and three nephews.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert on March 29, 1986; and her brothers, Ernest Frank Dement and Thomas Floyd Dement who died in infancy.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa, with Reverend Ted Weishaupt and Reverend George Krengel officiating.
Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the service, from 10 - 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.
Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Anita is in charge of the arrangements.