Helen Joan Judas

Monday, January 27, 2020 5:58 pm

Helen Joan Judas, 84, of Williamsburg, formerly of Decorah, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Susan Debner officiating. Burial is in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah in the spring. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Friday, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home.

Helen was born April 6, 1935, in rural Greene, the daughter of Lawrence and Dorothy (Hansen) Jepsen. Helen attended country school and graduated from Greene Community School with the class of 1952. She attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls and taught school for many years in Hansel and Geneva. Helen married Eugene E. Judas at the First Presbyterian Church in Greene June 7, 1959. Helen was a dedicated employee at Decorah Newspapers for many years. When Gene suffered a stroke in 1982, she provided loving care to him until his death in 2003. Upon her retirement she moved to Williamsburg to be closer to family.

Helen is survived by three children: son Eric and his wife Phyllis Judas of Shellsburg, daughter Beth and her husband Darren Spenler of Williamsburg, and daughter Ellen and her husband Michael Landry of Land O’ Lakes, Fla.; five grandchildren: Katie and her husband Austin Hilton, Ross Spenler, Mitchell and his wife Gabbie Spenler, Erica and Veronica Judas; one great-granddaughter, Reagan Hilton; three brothers: Paul and his wife Glenda Jepsen of Greene, Lee and his wife Betty Jepsen of Waukon and Larry Jepsen of Waterloo; one brother-in-law, Douglas Bellmer of Cedar Falls; along with many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Gene; her sister, Ruth Bellmer; and her parents.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.