Helen Ymker

Hawarden, Iowa- Helen J. Ymker, 60, of Hawarden, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Hudson Care and Rahab Center in Hudson, South Dakota.

Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden with Pastor Stuart Schreur of the First Baptist Church. Lunch will follow at the First Baptist Church. Burial of the cremated remains will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley, Iowa. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Helen June Ymker was born February 7, 1956 in Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Nellie Mae (Newman) Miller. She was raised to the age of 8 at Perkins Corner, Iowa. She loved helping her father in the salvage yard. Following his death, the family lived in various small towns before moving to Hawarden, Iowa.

Helen married Charles Boyer of Hudson, South Dakota on December 24, 1970. They raised their four girls on the farm. Helen enjoyed and took pride in her rock and flowers gardens and also her vegetable gardens. She raised pigs and bottle fed calves!

Helen later married Jerry Ymker on February 4, 1994. They lived in Hawarden where she continued her love of gardening. She, Jerry, and family enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time together. Helen liked to cook and bake and enjoyed working at Casey’s and at the Central Café. She was a dedicated member of the Eagles Cub.

Illness struck Helen in February of 2012 and she moved into a nursing home. At the time of her death she was a resident at the Hudson Care and Rehab Center. Throughout her illness, Helen continued to spend time with Jerry and her family and continued to take great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. With her illness, the family cherished a whole new Helen who could always make you laugh!

She is survived by her husband Jerry; daughters, Tiffany (Terry) Fluit, Stephanie (Wayne) Van Gelder, Deb (Andy) Jurgensen; son-in-law, Andy Header; step daughter, Nikki (Jessie) Christensen; 12 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marlene (Terry) Hulstein and Barb Ymker; 2 brothers, Larry Miller and Paul Miller; and several nieces, nephews, friends, and other family members.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Miller, Sr.; 2 infant daughters, April and Jackie; her mother, Nellie; son-in-law, Tommy; sister, Mary; and daughter, Charly.

Memorial Service

Tuesday July 26, 2016 , 11:00 a.m. at Porter Funeral Home ~ Hawarden