White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

RAYMOND– Helen Madeleine (Versluis) Fernau, 84 years old, of Raymond, IA, died Friday, November 10, 2023, at Ravenwood Specialty Care in Waterloo, IA.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, November 17, 2023, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Jesup, IA, with Fr. Ben Nkrumah as celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 16^th at the White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, and for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

Helen was born January 28, 1939, in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Emil Joseph Versluis and Madeleine Marie (Waerenberg) Versluis. She grew up on her family’s farm just south of Jesup and attended school in Jesup. She married Norman Lyle Fernau in 1959 and they later divorced. Helen worked at Microswitch in Independence, IA, and then she worked for John Deere at the downtown component works division. In her later years she worked as a daycare provider for friends and family. She took great pride in her work and had a special place in her heart for John Deere, often following along with the happenings of the company. Helen had a knack for remembering everyone’s birthday and would call on the day. She made the best apple pie and she had a 1969 yellow Chevrolet Camaro that she loved to go for drives in and listen to music. Helen’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were important to her, and she loved being with them.

Helen is survived by four sons, Steve (Margie) Fernau of Waterloo, IA, Dennis Fernau of Waterloo, IA, John Fernau of Sumner, IA, David Fernau of Waterloo, IA; 15 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild; 13 great grandchildren; two sisters, Jane (Ron) Lickiss of Oelwein, IA, Audrey Hahn of Oelwein, IA; one son-in-law, Duane Dauth of Jesup, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Kristine Dauth; one granddaughter, Katie Rose Metz; four brothers, Robert Versluis, Ronald Versluis, Thomas Versluis, James Versluis; three sisters, Frances Meier, Grace Fernau, and Jean Thompson.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice and Care Initiatives Hospice.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com
White Funeral Home, Jesup IA, is in charge of arrangements.