Helms Funeral Homes

11/27/2025

🍁 This Thanksgiving, we want to give thanks for our community and the families who place their trust in us.

We hope you all have a season filled with warmth, reflection, and gratitude. 🦃💛

11/26/2025

Louis Courtney, age 88, of Ridgeway, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah, Iowa.

Mass of Christian will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 W Main St., Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Jacob Rouse presiding. Following the mass, burial and lunch will be at St. Bridget's in Bluffton, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation at the church on Friday morning. Please come in and be seated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family in memory of Louis Courtney.

Full obituary to follow.

View Louis Courtney's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/26/2025

Kerry C. Kleve, age 47, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at his home.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Waucoma Event Center 308 Riverview Dr, Waucoma, IA 52171, with Rev. Jan Gluth-King presiding. Burial will be at a later date at the Waucoma City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Waucoma Event Center 308 Riverview Dr, Waucoma, IA 52171. There will be no visitation on Tuesday morning at the Event Center. Please come in and be seated.

Per the family's request, send memorials to the family instead of flowers.

View Kerry C. Kleve's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/21/2025

Mary Ellen Christopher, age 78, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Ossian Care Center in Ossian, Iowa.

Memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, Iowa, with a meal to follow. Burial will be at a later date in Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until the start of the service on Monday evening at the funeral home.

Full obituary to follow.

View Mary Ellen Christopher's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/20/2025

Gerald Allen Leidahl, age 87, of Decorah, Iowa, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 302 W Broadway St., Decorah, Iowa with Pastor Cat Stokes presiding. Burial will be on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Tuesday morning.

Full obituary to follow

View Gerald Leidahl's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/20/2025

Earl Wilson Halse, age 84, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 W Main St., with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in Burr Oak cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation at the church on Tuesday morning, please come in and be seated.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to WinnMed hospice.

Full obituary to follow.

View Earl Halse's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/19/2025

The holidays are all about family - the laughter, the stories, the time together. ❤️ While you’re surrounded by loved ones, take a moment to think about how you can care for them even after you’re gone. Pre-planning your funeral helps give them comfort and clarity when they’ll need it most - and that’s something they will forever be grateful for. 🙏

To begin the pre-planning process, visit our site here: https://www.helmsfuneralhomes.com/plan-ahead/plan-ahead

11/17/2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Joshua Dansdill, fondly known as Josh, who departed this life unexpectedly at his home on November 11, 2025.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Winneshiek County Fair Community Building, 900 East Main Street, Decorah, IA 52101. Following the memorial, there will be cookies and coffee from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Please do not send flowers; consider donating to Sunflower Child Development for tuition costs or a Gift card for Walmart, Fareway, or Kwik Star for the Dansdill family, to 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

View Joshua Dansdill's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/12/2025

Richard "Rick" Busta, age 72, of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, passed away Friday, October 24, 2025, at his home due to natural causes.

Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Pivo Brewery, 101 Huber Drive, Calmar, Iowa, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. following the burial. Burial will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Fort Atkinson at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

View Richard Busta's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/11/2025

Alice Mae Hemesath, age 93, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 W Main St., with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding.

Visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, Iowa. There will be no visitation at the church on Tuesday morning, please come in and be seated.

Full obituary to follow.

View Alice Hemesath's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, we honor all who have served our nation with strength and courage. 🇺🇸

Our funeral home is committed to helping veterans and their families access the special memorial services and benefits earned through their service. Please reach out if we can help you honor your hero. 💙

11/10/2025

Jean (Jeanine) Berg (Brinkman), age 77, of Decorah, IA, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sept. 15, 2025.

A celebration of life will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water Street, Decorah, IA.

View Jeanine Berg's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.