Helene S. Gilliland

Helene Slawson Gilliland, 92, passed away Friday, May 15, 2015, at her home in Lehigh.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2015, at the Christian Church in Lehigh. Pastor Dale Harlow will officiate. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Lehigh. Visitation will be Thursday, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Carson – Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. For online obituaries and condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Helene was born March 26, 1923, to Eva Slawson and raised by her grandparents Izatus and Elva Slawson in Lehigh, Iowa. She graduated from Lehigh High School in 1941. Helene worked as a telephone operator in Lehigh and then Fort Dodge. She enlisted in the Woman's Army Corps and served her country as a nurse until her honorable discharge in 1945.

Helene married Marion Elmer "Gill" Gilliland, August 4, 1945, in San Antonio, Texas. They made their home in Moscow, Idaho. There Gill finished his BSEE degree at the Idaho University. Two sons were born while in Idaho, Charles and George. Upon graduation Gill got a job with General Electric and the family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Next the company moved the family to Schenectady, New York, where Gill designed Electric motors. Two sons were born while the family lived in Schenectady, David and Brian. The family moved several more times, finally making their home in Lehigh, Iowa, in 1972.

When the children were grown, Helene was a seamstress for several years and then worked for Fort Dodge Laboratory for ten years before retiring. She always enjoyed sewing, making clothes for the family, making crafts and dolls, traveling, puzzles and visiting with her family.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her mother, husband Gill, half brother Gale Stringer, half sister Beverly Mernka, and granddaughter Paula Helene Gilliland.

She is survived by her sons Charles (Carol), George (Margaret), David and Brian. She is also survived by her aunt Agnes Mumper, her cousin Pastor Richard Laird (Fae), half brother Marvin "Pete" Stringer, half sister Janice Beahler, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.