Helen Bischoff

Helen Marie Wilhelmine (Lenth) Bischoff was born on October 7, 1913 on her family farm in Giard Township. She was the second child of five brothers and sisters born to Arno and Minnie Lenth. She passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at the Guttenberg Municipal Hospital at the age of 96. Helen was baptized in her home on November 2, 1913, and was confirmed at National Lutheran Church on August 21, 1927. Helens faith partnered with Gods love provided a strong foundation for her life. She followed a practice of daily devotions and Bible reading her entire life. After graduation from Monona High School in 1930, she worked for 8 years as a hired girl in several homes in Clayton County caring for children and others. For enjoyment, she also participated in Luther League and the Eager Hands 4-H Club. In 1931, Helen won a trip to the National 4-H Convention in Chicago for her essay on a grove of trees near Froehlich, Iowa. She was the first person from Clayton County to receive such an honor. On January 25, 1941, Helen married Raymond Bischoff at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Garnavillo where they were lifelong members. Helen and Raymond farmed southeast of Ceres until December, 1953 when they moved to a farm in Read Township. In March 1970, they moved to Garnavillo. Here they cooked and cleaned at the Clayton County Home for several years before they retired. Helens greatest joy and gift in life was raising her four boys, Robert, Paul and the twins, Gerald and Harold. She was always proud of her family. Besides her love and devotion to her family Helen had other passions. She loved to play and win at Scrabble. She was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Helen enjoyed making beautiful quilts from scraps of old clothes which her church circle donated to Lutheran World Relief for over five decades. Because she kept a daily diary to record the events of her life, she could refer to this historical log when there was a dispute about facts. Helen lived a noble life full of self respect and respect for others. She knew that she was a conduit for Gods love which she felt from within. Surviving are her children, Robert Bischoff, Paul (Pat) Bischoff both of Garnavillo, IA, Gerald (Debbie) Bischoff of Bloomington, Minn. and Harold (Marklene) Bischoff of Eaton, Ohio; grandchildren, Mark, Gene and Lisa Bischoff, Ryan and Dan Bischoff, Ethan and Eric Bischoff, Matthew, Seth, Leah, Bart, Sarah, Aaron, Hannah and Naomi Bischoff; great grandchildren, Hannah, Weston and Katie Bischoff, Jayla Bischoff and William Bischoff; sisters in law, Jeanette, Violet and Ella Bischoff and Marcy Lenth. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Everett and Arnold Lenth; two sisters, Lucille Behnken and Evelyn Schulte.In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Helen Bischoff.Visitation: Friday 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. January 22, 2010 at the Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home Garnavillo, Iowa and one hour before service at churchFuneral Service: Saturday 10:30 A.M. January 23, 2010 at St. Peters Lutheran Church Garnavillo, IowaInterment: Garnavillo Community Cemetery Service Information A service summary is not available