White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

INDEPENDENCE – Helen Maxine Donnelly, 92 of Independence, IA, died Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, August 7, 2026, at St. John Catholic Church, Independence, with the Very Rev. David Beckman as Celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the White Funeral Home, Independence, IA, where there will be a Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Parish Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services, Friday, at the church.

Helen was born on February 9, 1934, in Winthrop, IA, the daughter of Lester and Wilda (Griswold) Dennie. She went to country school for eight years and graduated from Winthrop High School in 1951. She went on to Iowa State College, Ames, IA, and graduated in 1955 with a degree in Home Economics Education.

Her first job was as the Benton County Home Economist, but most of her working years were spent as a Home Economics teacher at Independence High School and Middle School in Independence.

On August 18, 1956, Helen was united in marriage to William “Rabbit” Donnelly in Cedar Rapids, IA. Together they had three children. Helen and Rabbit both retired early and spent many hours volunteering, especially for St. John Church, Cedar Valley Hospice and the Buchanan County Senior Center. Rabbit preceded her in death on July 4, 2011. After his death Helen looked forward to daily phone calls from each of her kids.

Helen loved playing cards, especially Bridge. She was an active member of the St. John Catholic Church, Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Retired Teachers Association, Iowa State University Alumni Association, Buchanan County Health Center Hospital Auxiliary, and many Bridge clubs. In September 2018, with declining health, she moved to Prairie Hills Assisted Living.

Helen is survived by her children, Diane (Dan) Sperfslage of Aurora, IA, Carol (Randy LeRoy) Donnelly of Gretna, NE and Roger Donnelly of Decorah, IA; her grandchildren, Kelli (John) Bergin, Shawn (Heather) Sperfslage and Patrick Sperfslage; great grandchildren, Josie and Jack Bergin and Charlotte Sperfslage; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband; great grandchildren, Oliver and Evelyn Sperfslage; her siblings, Dean Dennie, Dale Dennie and Shirley Loop; and many friends and family members.

Memorials may be directed to the kitchen renovation fund at St. John Catholic Church or Cedar Valley Hospice.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.

White Funeral Home, Independence, is caring for the family.