Helen Elaine Ladeburg was born September 30, 1914 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Jay and Edith (Eckerman) Woodward. They moved to Center Junction, Iowa then to Oelwein in 1926, where she spent the rest of her life. She graduated from Oelwein High School in 1931 and later attended Bender's Secretarial School. After graduation she was employed as a secretary for J.T. Maillie Insurance Agency. On September 3, 1933 she was united in marriage to Herbert Ladeburg at the Little Brown Church. They were blessed with two children, Janet (Duane) Polk and Arthur (Carol) Ladeburg both of Oelwein. She was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed on July 4, 1937. Helen loved to crochet, play cards, make homemade buns to share with neighbors, watch the Polka Party, was an avid fan of the Hawks basketball team, and especially spend time with family and friends. She and her husband were members of the Gay 90’s Group in early years. She and Herb made walnut creations from sliced black walnuts. Some of the items were cup & saucers, bowls, crosses and replicas of the Little Brown Church where they were married. They joined The Cupboard in Oelwein in 1997 and Helen was still an honorary member. She loved taking her turn to work there. Her husband passed away on November 7, 1984. He had cut several boxes of walnuts in slices, so she could still make some of the items. 

She is survived by her two children, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Ella Zander and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Karl and Dorothy Ladeburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and two brothers Delbert (Delores) Woodward and Dale Woodward at the age of eight and grandson-in-law, Kevin Taylor.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, March 22 at Geilenfeld Funeral Home and one hour before services. Services will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church in Oelwein, Iowa.