Helen Coles Obituary

Helen Dawson Coles, 95, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at her home in Des Moines. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 18 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Iles Westover Chapel. Helen’s funeral service will take place at Mount Olive Lutheran Church on Tuesday, November 19 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow the service at Glendale Cemetery.

Helen was born May 8, 1929 in Ute, a town in rural Monona county, to Hermann and Sophia (Knop) Ullerich. She grew up near Atlantic, IA until her move to Des Moines in 1946. Helen married Donald Dawson and together they had three children. Donald passed in 1962, and later Helen met Philip Covington, who became a close partner for over 30 years. She met Alvin in the early 2000s and they were united in marriage in 2006. He was a loving husband until his passing in 2021.

Helen was a graduate of Atlantic High School. She attended business school before she helped as a hostess at Christopher’s, the family restaurant. She then went on to do clerical work for AT&T until her retirement in 1991.

Helen was a lifelong lover of dancing. Even in her later years, you could see her on the dance floor three times a week. In her retirement years, she spent time traveling around the world and playing golf and bridge. Helen was involved in the VFW Auxiliary and a devoted member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Dale Paula (Pete) Allen; sons Sam and Kirk Dawson; grandson Jeff (Heidi) Conn; and sister Janice Moon. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters Irene Ullerich and Luella McBain; and brother Arnold Ullerich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed toward Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Iles Westover Chapel.

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