Helen Graf

Helen Irene (Ayers) Graf, 85 of Washington, died Friday, August 9, 2013 at the Washington County Hospital following a brief illness.She was a resident of the Brownlee Center at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

Funeral Services have been set for 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be from Noon till 8:00 PM Monday at the Funeral Home. Memorials in the name of Helen Irene Graf may be designated to the First Baptist Church.

Helen was born in Kalona, Iowa on April 15 ^th , 1928 to Lake and Jessie Lemley Ayers, the youngest of twelve children. She graduated from Kalona High School and worked at the Pearl Button Factory prior to her marriage to William Graf on March 22, 1950 at the “Little Bit of Heaven” chapel in Davenport, Iowa. Helen and Bill resided in Washington all their life and had four children: Bev, Gary, Bill, & Sherry.

Helen was proud of being a member of the First Baptist Church in Washington. She took pride in caring for her family and home. She enjoyed many crafts and shared many of her candles she made with family and friends.

She is survived by her children: Bev Black and husband Mike, Gary Graf, Bill Graf and wife Marla, and Sherry Black and husband Bill, all of Washington. 9 grandchildren : Brian Black and wife Jody, Chris Black and wife Tara, Amanda Olson, Dean Graf and wife Terran, Shane Graf, Nick Graf, Chris Graf, Justin Black and wife Lindsey, Kelly Litwiller and husband Brad. 9 great grandchildren: Haley, Tanner, Sydney, and Isaac Black. Kurtis and Micah Olson, Isabelle and Hayden Litwiller, and Alex Watson; one sister Viva Ayers of Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers: Faye, Eldon, Maynard, Dale, Cliff, Floyd, and Kenny, sisters: Vera, Vivian, and Hazel.