Helen Beranek

Helen Langlas Beranek, 79 of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Mount Vernon, died April 30 2004, from complications of surgery, at Mesa. Memorial services, 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 1, 2004 at Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, by the Reverend Linda Stransky. Helen's family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m., until service time at the chapel. Burial of the cremated remains will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon. Helen is survived by two daughters: Penny (John) Balmer of Iowa City and Julie (Rick) Leonard of Seattle, Washington, a son Jeffry (Marsha) of Los Angeles, a sister, Donna McGurk of Cedar Rapids; a brother Donald (Lucille) Langlas of Williamsburg, and nine grandchildren. Preceding Helen in death were her husband Gaillard, a daughter Pamela Iverson; and two sisters, Marjorie Bigbee and Doris Durr. Helen was born January 6, 1925, on the family farm in Iowa County, the daughter of Harry and Nelle Conrad Langlas. Helen graduated from Marengo High School in 1943, and married Joseph Gaillard Beranek, April 7, 1947, at Mount Vernon. Joe died in 1984. Helen raised her family and worked with her husband in their businesses, Beranek's Hardware and Beranek's Vending at Mount Vernon. After Joe's death, Helen worked in the business office at Kirkwood College, before moving to Leisure World in 1993. A memorial fund has been established. On line condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com