Helen Marie Knerr, age 82, of Washington, died Friday, June 3, 2011 at her home in Washington following a brief illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Cluney officiating. Visitation will begin noon Tuesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. A memorial has been established to the Make a Wish Foundation.
Online condolences may be sent for Helen's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Helen was born November 25, 1928 in Washington, Iowa the daughter of Harry and Bertha (Woods) Haifley. She attended school in Washington. Helen was united in marriage to Eugene Knerr on August 5, 1950 in Washington, Iowa.

She was a homemaker and a fulltime mother. Later in life Helen worked for Goodwill Industries. She loved gardening and flowers. She also enjoyed doing woodworking.

Helen is survived by her children, Dick and Jeanie Haifley of Keota; Ruth and Al Van Beheren of Tipton; Barb Flanegan and Jeff Tyer of Mt. Pleasant; Tom Knerr of Washington; Pat Brown and husband Ron of Kalona; David Knerr of Washington; Joyce and Rick Sinn of Kalona; Charlie and Tammie Knerr of Wilton; 17 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Eugene Knerr; brothers, Harold, Clarence, Raymond and Ernie; her sister, Mildred Bower; son Jimmy Knerr; grandson, Christopher; great grandsons, Harley and Justin Watson; and one great great grandson, Hunter Starr.