"I am so sorry to hear of Helen\'s earthly passing. She was a sweet sunshine in our lives! I\'m sure my dad and her are giving each other a hard time lol. God\'s peace and comfort to you:)"
In loving memory of
Helen Leigh
February 24, 1929 - March 23, 2021
A link to a Helen's video tribute. https://youtu.be/7lU6SQFGiE0
Helen Leigh, 92, of Algona, died Tuesday at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. A funeral Mass was held Saturday, March 27th, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. The funeral Mass live-streamed on BGS Media YouTube Page at https://youtu.be/I-oSNAMvy50.
Memorials may be directed to St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Helen's memory. Cards may be sent to the Helen Leigh Family in care of Oakcrest Funeral Services, P.O. Box 186, Algona, IA 50511.
Mary Helen (Elsbecker) Leigh was born February 24th, 1929, on a farm near Lone Rock, IA, to Albert and Anna (Werdel) Elsbecker. She graduated from St. John's High School in Bancroft, IA, in 1946. After high school she worked as a telephone operator at the Lone Rock Telephone Company. Later she worked for family at Crown Cleaners in Bancroft. After that she worked at Security State Bank, Algona, IA, when Mr. C.B. Murtagh was there.
Upon his return from service in Korea, she married Marvin Leigh on February 6th, 1954 at St. John the Baptist Church in Bancroft, IA. Together they were blessed with seven children: Richard, Georgia, David, Douglas, Laura, Christopher, and Scott.
They farmed and had dairy cows, pigs, chickens, and the work that went with them. She candled eggs and sold them to grocery stores, restaurants, and individuals. After the children were older, she was the cook at the Algona Livestock Auction and Exchange on days when sales took place. In 1985 she began work as a CNA at Good Samaritan and continued there for 15 plus years, most of them in the special care unit. She retired from the Sale Barn and Good Samaritan in 2001. She loved being outside and enjoyed always having a big garden and fruit trees. She did a lot of canning and enjoyed the strawberries, cherries, and apples. One of her great joys in life was playing cards with family and friends.
Helen was a member of St. Cecelia's Church and enjoyed being a volunteer for church events. She was a member of the Union Township Mothers and Daughters Club and a sewing club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, and infant son, Albert; her brother, Donald Elsbecker, sister, Estelle (Elsbecker) Kadow, brother, Dennis Elsbecker, sister, Georgia Elsbecker, and brother, John Elsbecker.
She is survived by 7 children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Children: RICHARD (Connie) of Pasco, WA; GEORGIA of Iowa City, IA; DAVID of Marion IA; DOUGLAS (Veatress) of Eagan, MN; LAURA ATKISSON of Omaha, NE; CHRISTOPHER (Mary) of Dubuque, IA; and SCOTT (Krista) of Fort Dodge, IA. Grandchildren: Rick Leigh of Kennewick, WA; William (Annie) Atkisson of Omaha, NE; Mitchell Atkisson of Omaha, NE; Leigha Atkisson of Omaha, NE; Ryan (Katie) Leigh of Omaha, NE; Veronica Leigh of Omaha, NE; Elizabeth Leigh of St. Louis, MO; Eric Leigh of Ithaca, NY; Robert Leigh of Omaha, NE; Gretta Leigh of Ames, IA; and Daniel Leigh of Ames, IA. Great-grandchildren: Charlotte Wright and Jacob Atkisson.
Helen is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews, and godchildren, and by Julie (Elbert) Leigh of Richland, WA. She has been blessed with many good neighbors and friends.
Tributes
"My sympathies to the family Helen and marv were such wonderful neighbours"
"So many many memories of Helen..i had the pleasure of working with Helen at Good Sam. I have never met anyone as kind, patient, loving, soft spoken as Helen. My heart is broken for you all. Iam so glad i got to spend time with her before she passed..She loved you kids so much. Her eyes would light up when she spoke of you.. please know iam thinking of you all during this difficult Time. And Thank you for sharing your mom with me.. Pam(Penning) Smith"
"This lovely lady will be missed. Her kind and gracious manner is an example for all to follow. Heaven gained a very special person and the angels have welcomed her . Enjoy your peace in our Father\'s arms . Blessings to all family members."
"To my cousins, I was so saddened to hear about your mom\'s passing. She was such a kind, funny and faith filled woman. I have so many great memories of spending time at the farm over the years. I also really enjoyed spending time with her at the cousin reunions we had there over the last several years. She will be missed and I wish we could have gotten to play another game of cards. I am sure though, that she is enjoying a fun reunion in heaven with your dad, her parents and siblings. I wish I could be there with all of you, but know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all."
"Dear Cousins, I\'m deeply saddened to hear of your mom\'s passing. I have such fond memories of my visits to the farm and the way she welcomed me into the clan. A trait that comes most to mind when I think of Helen is a gentle generosity. While I\'m out here in RI, I\'m very glad I will be able to attend the Mass by video. With love, Jeff"
"Helen was such a soft spoken beautiful lady!! I worked at Fareway for many years and during that time we had many good visits!! She spoke often and so lovingly of her family!! Many prayers to her children and their extended families. I had lost my Grandma so long ago and your Mom reminded me so much of her?"
"David, I am so sorry to hear of your mother\'s passing. No one can love you like a Mom can! Thinking of you and including your family in my prayers. Karen Evenson"
"Helen was a beautiful soul who we will greatly miss! She was always giving and we loved visiting with her when we would go out and mow for her and till her garden. David--we are so sorry to hear about your Mom. We loved her so much. Please know that we will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Beth & John"
"I worked many of nights with Helen at good Sam, I considered her one of the sweetest people on this earth!!! She will be deeply missed!!! ?"
"I worked many of nights with Helen at good Sam, I considered her one of the sweetest people on this earth!!! She will be deeply missed!!! ?"
"Helen, I will miss you so much. I enjoyed seeing you every month, and talking with you. Your smile and kindness brought joy to my days. Thanks for being you and God Bless. To your family, I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you during this time. "
"Helen Leigh would kindly remind us \"now you boys behave\" when we free-roam played out at her farmstead. I will always remember her warm smiles as she watched over with motherly care. She lived a full, happy life with all the joys and trials it brings. My heart goes out to David, Doug, Georgia, Laura, Chris, Scott, Dick, extended family and close friends. Please accept my sympathy."
"my heartfelt prayers and love to the Leigh families on your loss of \'\'Mom\'\' and \'\'Grandma\'\' Leigh. Cherish the great memories and keep her always close to your hearts. My Love and Prayers, Mark J. VonBank- Park Rapids, Mn.-[formerly of Algona, Iowa.]"
"Scott and Krista, We are so sorry for the loss of your mom! Please know that we are praying for peace and comfort for you all! Pete and Dee DeLange"
"Blessings of peace to all of you. Helen was the kindest person with a beautiful smile. Will miss our chats."
"It is always so hard to lose someone you love. My heart breaks that she is gone, and we will miss her so much. She was such an angel in all ways and it is so hard to say goodbye. We send prayers and love to all my cousins and want you to know we love you all. Even though we aren\'t there with you, you are in our hearts. Aunt Helen was such a kind, loving, happy, generous, thoughtful person and had such a great sense of humor. She was so giving and never said a bad word about anyone. She always made everyone feel special and cared about others more than herself. I will miss talking with her on the phone and laughing. She is with all her family and loved ones in heaven and I am sure they are playing cards! We will always have wonderful memories of her laughter, hugs and smiles and of course the wonderful food she made. She was one of a kind...and I wish there were more people like her in the world, it would certainly be a more gentle and kinder place to be. She will never be forgotten... a very special Aunt, whom everyone loved. So many wonderful memories of her... Love you all..."
"I\'ll never forget helen\'s kindness, she was a great coworker when i worked with her at the GOOD SAMARITAN HOME in algona. Bless her heart, she\'s earned her angel wings. R.I.P Much love, your friend, andrea"
"I don\'t know if there are any right words to say at this time of loss and sorrow. Helen was a very special lady she was loved by everyone who knew her. I know we will miss all of her words of wisdom and all of the card games but she has gone to be with her other family in heaven. We will miss her terribly. Hugs to all my cousins. Thank you Aunt Grandma for being you!!!"
"We are so sorry to hear of Helen\'s passing. There are too many words to express what a truly, wonderful women she was. The talks we had when we visited could go on for hours. Those memories of her will keep her alive in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Juanita and Mark Zern "
"To the Leigh Family, Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. The family of Joe and Ann King"
"Helen?s family, Expressing my deepest sympathy to each of you. I truly enjoyed my many visits with Helen at her Coumadin visits. We often talked about our flowers, our families and many other topics. I will miss those visits. My thoughts and prayers during this time. "
"My sympathy to the family! She was a kind and loving woman! She will be missed! I will miss our talks and card games! R.I.P. Helen! "
"Wishing you peace and comfort. And wishing you the courage to face the days ahead. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Chris and Mary, We are sorry to hear the news about your Mom. I remember her as a woman with a warm heart and smile. At an early age, I was impressed with her flock of layers and ability to process all those eggs! I am praying for comfort and peace for you and the entire Leigh family. May she rest in peace. With Sympathy, Greg and Stacey Lickteig"