Helen M. Meeks received her wings Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, with family by her side in Mount Vernon. Memorial Services will be held Friday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon with visitation following services.
She was born on June 22, 1928, in Mount Vernon to Warner and Marie (Chamberlin) Peterson. Here she attended Mount Vernon schools and was the last living member of the 1946 graduating class.
Helen worked at the Meredith Drug Store as a teenager as well as the Mount Vernon Bank until her marriage to Charles Blinks on June 30, 1948. Helen went back to work at the Mount Vernon Bank after she and Charles purchased their farm in 1963. As a bride Helen was warmly welcomed into the Lisbon farming community, where she and Charles started their family. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Johnson Oil and then Sargent’s Accounting Services. At almost 80, Helen started a new career as a House Mother at Chi Omega Sorority in Iowa City.
Upon her marriage to Charles, Helen joined the First Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and as the treasurer for many years. Charles passed in January 1971 due to a car accident. After Charles death Helen married Roy Meeks on Dec. 31, 1971, until his passing on February 8, 1999.
Helen was an active member of the Farm Bureau Women, Jolly Workers and Club 11. She also served on the Linn County Extension Board. Helen was a charter member of East Iowa Heirloom Quilters and a 40-year member of a small group called Sew and Blow.
She loved playing cards, fishing, horses, bowling, going to the casino and eating grilled hot dogs or brats. Helen was also known for her wonderful kolaches and was more than happy to teach all how to make them. She won an award for her peach pie. Her amazing award-winning pies were a hot item at church auctions.
Helen loved to spend time with friends and her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving children are: Thomas (Leah) Blinks, Sharon (John Hulick) Jamison, Linda (Keith) Burge, Dan (Meredith) Blinks, Barbara Mozingo, Diane (Edwin) Hung. She will also be missed by 18 loving grandchildren; 40 cherished great-grandchildren and 29 great great grandchildren; siblings Linda (Larry Richardson) Nost, Joan Hasse (sister in law) and Kenneth Peterson along with many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Blinks and Roy Meeks; Warner and Marie Peterson (parents), Albert and Emily Blinks (Parents in law), Ruth Peterson (sister), Baby Doug (son) , David Blinks (brother in law), Jim and Betty Peterson (brother and sister in law), Cliff and Sherlee Peterson (brother and sister in law), Marilyn Peterson (sister in law), Ed Nost (brother in law), September Blinks (daughter in law) Charles Andrew (Andy) Blinks (Son), Jim Mozingo (son in law), John and Maxine Blinks (brother and sister in law), Neil Goodspeed (brother in law) Gage Laper ( grandson); Sarah Wolfe (granddaughter).
Helen was known for her beautiful smile and personality. She had fun wherever she was with friends and family of all ages.
Interment will be at a later date in the Mount Vernon Cemetery.
Memorials in honor of Helen may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 301 First St NW, Mount Vernon, 52314 or Mount Vernon Alumni Association, 525 Palisades Rd, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. (online donation – MVAlumni.org)
Those unable to attend may watch church services via You Tube (FirstpresMV) or Facebook (firstpresmv) livestream
Online condolences are welcome at www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.