Helen Giessing

Helen Giessing, of Chandler, AZ and formerly of Farmington, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 5, 2014 at the age of 98 years old. She was born in Echo, MN on April 12, 1916 to the late William and Mary (Fitzner) Bode. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Vernon Giessing in 1998; and her six siblings. Helen grew up on a farm in West-Central Minnesota where she attended Lutheran grade school. After high school she went on to attend Valparaiso University in Indiana where she met her future husband, Vernon. After their marriage on April 12, 1936 they moved into their home in Farmington where she would live for 70 years. For twenty years Helen was a homemaker and stay at home mother to three children. After the children were older many will remember that she became the Farmington City Librarian and served in that position for ten years. Following that she developed a library at St. Paul Lutheran School. Upon her retirement from St. Paul Library she was honored with a ceremony whereby they named the library after her. She was an avid golfer, a member of Nancy Weber Garden Club, St. Paul Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, and volunteered at the hospital where she made many floral arrangements for the gift shop. After Helen's 90th birthday she went to live with her son, Bill and his wife, Polly, in Chandler, AZ. She continued to enjoy great health and life itself. She spent her last six years in a group home close to Bill's residence. In addition to her son, Bill and wife, Polly, she is survived by her oldest son, Daniel Giessing and wife, Janet (Burcham); and her daughter, Rosemary Ward and husband, Jay. In addition she is survived by eight grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and one great-great grand-daughter on the way. Also surviving are a host of nieces, nephews and many good friends. Friends may call at Cozean Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, November 12 from 4 - 8 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Paul Lutheran Church beginning Thursday morning at 9 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 10 a.m. with Pastor James King officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Farmington. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Foundation or St. Paul Lutheran School Library fund. View the online obituary and share your condolences and memories at cozeanfuneralhome.com. Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Interment Service

St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery

Thursday, November 13, 2014 Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Visitation

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Thursday, November 13, 2014 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Funeral Service

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Thursday, November 13, 2014 10:00 AM 609 East Columbia Street Farmington, MO 63640 Directions