Helen Marie Mercer

KESWICK-Helen Marie Mercer, 97, of Keswick, passed away peacefully in her sleep at 9:40pm on November 2, 2022 at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney.

She was born on June 12, 1925 in Fairfield, IA, to Fred and Ruth Fulton Oliver. Helen Marie married Gerald Mercer on June 16, 1946 at Packwood Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on January 10, 2009. She grew up in the Packwood area and graduated from Packwood High School in 1942. In addition to being a mother to her four children, Helen Marie worked as a secretary in the What Cheer Elementary School. She was a member of the Methodist Church, Keswick Garden Club and DAR. She loved to travel with Gerald and her family and had visited all 50 states. Her love of nature and animals was demonstrated in her beautiful flower gardens and her most beloved cat, Annie, in addition to numerous horses, dogs and cats over the years. Her bountiful Christmas lights and decorations brought her much joy. She loved riding her scooter around outside and loved watching the Game Show Network. She could often outsmart the contestants.

She is survived by a daughter Deborah Atwell of Keswick; sons Gary (Terry) Mercer of Indianola, IA, Bryan (Renee) Mercer of Ashton, MD and Matt (Tinell) Mercer of New Braunfels, TX; 10 Grandchildren: Chris Mercer, April (Andrew) Blackford, Gene (Tiffany) Mercer, Clark (Jessica) Mercer, Greg (Elizabeth) Mercer, Zachary (Lauren) Mercer, Marissa Mercer, Drake (Emily) Mercer, Danielle (Dylan) Antle, and Chase Mercer; 10 great grandchildren: Shasta, Sam and Jessie Mercer, MaKenzie and Hailey Blackford, Jasper and Owen Mercer, Jack and Max Mercer and Zeke Mercer. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gerald and son-in-law, John Atwell.

She will be laid to rest with her husband at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in a private service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to UNleashed PO Box 56, South English, IA 52335 or to the family at Deborah Atwell, 110 H Street, Keswick, IA 50136. Messages and Tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.