Helen A. Biretz

Helen Ann Biretz, 74, of Fertile, Iowa, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14,  at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Gossman officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Clear Lake.

Family suggests memorial contributions to the Salvation Army of Mason City.

Helen was born April 25, 1944, the daughter of William Joseph “Joe” and Leona Grace (Damman) Koster in Rolfe, Iowa.  She married Joseph “Lee” Biretz on June 19, 1965, in Garner.

Helen graduated from Rockwell-Swaledale High School in Rockwell.  Throughout her life she enjoyed listening to country music, feeding wildlife and gardening.  She also liked watching western movies with Lee, along with NASCAR races.  Most of all, Helen loved her family and cherished the time she shared with them.

Helen is survived by her husband, Lee Biretz of Fertile; a son, Matthew Biretz, of Des Moines; three siblings, Mary Bocock of Marion, Dean Koster (Jim Gibson) of Iowa City, and Doris (Steve) Naney of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and three siblings, Jeanne Fluhrer, John Koster and Karen Hennigar.

Helen will be greatly missed by her family and will forever remain in their hearts.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.