Helen D. Van Drew

Helen Van Drew, 93, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at The Bridges at Ankeny following a lengthy illness.

Helen was born in Des Moines on October 26, 1929, to Harry A. Lewis and Lucille (Chambers) Lewis. She was one of five children: Harry (Jeannette), Berniece Schmidt (William), Floyd (Shirley), and Ralph (Loraine).

Helen was a lifetime resident of Des Moines and a graduate of East High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Leon Van Drew, on March 17, 1951. They were blessed with three sons: Jeffery, Keith, and Eric.

Helen was an active member of the Well Covenant Church (formerly Evangelical Covenant) in Des Moines for most of her adult life. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Valley View Village, and Clerk in the Subscription Department of Meredith Corporation.

Helen had a variety of interests including traveling, music, genealogy, puzzling, and baking (her pies and bread were amazing). Her favorite was enjoying time with her five grandchildren: Brandon, Michael, Matthew, Emily, and Katherine (Katie).

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her four siblings. She is survived by her three sons: Jeffery (Ann), Keith (Sara), and Eric (Darlene), five grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Grace Fellowship Church, 2440 Capitol Avenue, Des Moines (parking on E 25th Street across from church), with burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Family will begin greeting guests at 10:30 a.m.

Helen’s family thank the doctors, nurses, staff at UnityPoint Hospitals, The Bridges at Ankeny, and UnityPoint Hospice for Helen’s personal and compassionate care.

Memorial donations may be made to The Bridges at Ankeny, 3510 NW Abilene Road, Ankeny, IA 50023 or Grace Fellowship Church, 2440 Capitol Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317.

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