Helen C. McFerren

Helen F. McFerren, 83, formerly of Davenport, passed away in West Liberty, Iowa at the Simpson Memorial Home on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. She was suffering from complications related to Alzheimer’s. Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Runge Mortuary on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed immediately by funeral services at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be the following day, Monday, January 9, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in the Arsenal National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL. Memorials may be made to the Scott County Humane Society or Simpson Memorial Home, West Liberty, IA. Online condolences may be made at www.TheRungeMortuary.com

Helen was born February 8, 1928 in Davenport, Iowa the daughter of Frank and Alice (Poppe) Clark. She attended Davenport High School and graduated in 1945. The daughter of a greenskeeper, she grew up on Duck Creek Golf Course where, as fate would have it, she met the love of her life, J. David McFerren, on the 17th green, and they were wed six years later on May 16, 1953 in Davenport at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Her husband preceded her in death January 25, 2003.

After high school, Helen was employed with Julius Junge Company for 10 years. She served for many years, including a term as its president, on the board of directors of the Scott County Humane Society. Helen was a former member of the Davenport Country Club, Rock Island Arsenal Club and St. Paul Lutheran Church.

She was also charter member and past president of the Parkwood Drive Association and a member of the Scott County Bar Association Auxiliary.

Helen had been a championship golfer, enjoyed bowling, and loved animals. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed many hours in her greenhouse. A strong willed women who loved life; she was a 26 year breast cancer survivor. Her family was her greatest love, and she will be deeply missed.

Those left to honor her memory include her son and daughter-in-law Clark “Mick” and Laurence Anne McFerren (and their sons David and Eric) of Iowa City; daughter and son-in-law Holly McFerren-Lyons and Mark Lyons (and their daughters Elyse and Anna) of Clive, IA; son and daughter-in-law Clifford “Charlie” and Cara McFerren (and their son William John) of West Liberty, IA; sisters Edith (Lennert) Holmgren of Davenport, and Viola (Joseph) Pirages of Cedar Falls, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. The family wishes to thank the staff at Simpson Memorial for their compassionate care of Helen, and Marge Walker of Home Instead, for her for help and companionship.