Helen Jean Schmidt was born October 29, 1931, to Cornelius and Mary (Ver Steegt) Vander Leest, in rural Monroe, Iowa.

On June 16, 1953, she was united in marriage to Freddie Schmidt in Sully, Iowa. Helen accepted the Lord at an early age, and was a member of the Sully Community Church where she served many roles over the years. She taught Sunday School for more than 50 years, participated in church plays, and was a member of the Women’s Christian Fellowship.

Helen’s daughters have so many fond memories of their mother! She was supportive, sacrificial, loved to laugh, fantastic story-teller, and a wonderful sense of humor! Helen loved sports especially the Chicago Cubs, Iowa Hawkeyes and Lynnville-Sully. She was also an active member of the Music Booster Club at Lynnville-Sully for many years.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Fred and their family:

Jacqueline Sue Van Wyk

Heather (Matt) Zylstra

Noah (Ashley)

Eleanor, Murphy, Jolene

Sage, Lily Helen

Heidi (Jeff) Corbett

Elizabeth (Mason) Gannaway

Mia

Abigail, Sophia, Benjamin, Hudson

Nathan (Elizabeth) Van Wyk

Samuel, Jude, Ava, Rowan

Jocelyn (Steve) Beyer

Kristal (Derrick) Christopherson

Jamie Beyer

Jerilyn (Dwight) Van Weelden

Eric (Amy) Van Weelden

Ashlyn, Shae, Brody

Troy (Josey) Van Weelden

TJ, Clara

Derek (Allison) Van Weelden

Sheldyn, Barrett, Wyatt

Kaylee (Scott) Thornhill

Elliott, Evangeline, Theodore

Joelyn William (Andy) Hutchins

Bailey, Caleb, Drew

Janna (Jim) Goodrich

Zachary (Mari Anna) Goodrich

Hosannah (deceased)

Bonnie, Shiloh

Emily (Gabe) Tramm

Chloe, Lucia, Mable

Miriam (Josh) Johnson

Landon, Colton, Willow, Ember, Juniper

Janel (Mike) Hay

Malcolm, Jakeira

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Cornelius and Mary Vander Leest, great granddaughter Hosannah Goodrich, grandson-in-law Steve Squires, and all her siblings: Dorothy (Everett) Lane, Vernon (Janice) Vander Leest, Verlan Vander Leest died at birth, Evelyn (Ron) Roll, Robert (Doris) Vander Leest, Viola died as a toddler, and her half-siblings: Geraldine died at birth, Gertrude (Neal) Ver Steegt, Cora (Gerrit) Van Wyk, Walter (Irene) Vander Leest, James (Artie) Vander Leest, Wilma (Bill) Van Genderen, Cliff (Ruth) Vander Leest, and Lester Vander Leest.

Memorials may be given to East Iowa Bible Camp or Sully Community Church Missions.