Helen Rouse

Helen Hazel Long was born on April 1, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer Alexander and Hazel Amanda (DeWitt) Long and passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Stuart, Iowa.

She grew up in Des Moines where she attended Amos Junior High and East High School. On December 29, 1952, she was married to John L. Rouse in Des Moines. Helen worked for the State of Iowa as a clerical worker in the Treasury Department and later for City Parking.

In 1996, John and Helen moved to Adair where she was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Helen enjoyed crocheting and fishing in her spare time. Her church was important to her, even after her health would no longer allow her to attend regularly. Her greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Hazel Long; her brother, Charles Long and her sister, Mary Kinney.

Helen is survived by her husband, John Rouse of Adair, Iowa; her children, John (Pam) Rouse of Adair, Kim (Clint) Engle of Ankeny, and Tracy Jones of Ames; six grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; her sister, Clara (Richard) Swartz; sisters-in-law, Shirley Kinney, Ann Bainter, Marilyn (Ed) Anderson all of Des Moines, Pat (Bill) Lefleur of Adel, Diane (Larry) Smith of Des Moines, and brother-in-law Ronnie Rouse of Des Moines.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2011, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair.

Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Adair.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.