Helen Clare Erlandson

Helen Clare (Lockard) Erlandson, 86, of West Des Moines, IA went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 17, 2010 at Fountain West Health Care Center. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A private burial will be at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Helen was born in Des Moines on February 19, 1924 to Myrtle (Lewis) and Charles Lockard. She graduated from North High School and attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. For most of her career she worked as a Bank Teller at Brenton Bank of Urbandale. Helen and David lived in various locations including Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale and Harlingen, Texas where she was a member of First Baptist Church. Helen enjoyed fishing, crafting, gardening, entertaining and found great delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen was a character with a wonderful sense of fun. She always made the holidays special. When she and David lived in Urbandale, they would dress up at Halloween and have a party for the neighborhood children who were trick or treating. The children never wanted to leave the fun at the Erlandson household! Helen also enjoyed crafting and was know for her “scrubbers” that she created. She and David traveled to many craft shows where they sold the scrubbers. Even after they moved to Texas, Iowans would contact her for more scrubbers. Another example of the fun Helen enjoyed was white water rafting when she and David were in their 70’s.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 68 years, David; daughter, Carol (Larry) Roach; grandchildren, Julie (Jeremy) Gyorke, David (Karen) Anderson, Amy (Andy) Peterson; four great-grandchildren; and three expected great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Gospel of Asia, 1800 Golden Trail Court, Carrollton, TX 75010.

Online condolences may be made at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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