Helen Clyde Smith Kohl, age 76, of Mount Vernon, died peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at the Hospice House of Mercy near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Helen was born on January 1, 1931 in Pratt, Kansas, the daughter of Reverend Joseph Brown and Louise Kunkel Clyde. She spent her childhood years in Iowa, graduating from Nashua High School in 1948. She attended the University of Dubuque and later earned both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Helen began her 41 year teaching career in 1951 at the age of 20 at the Gaston School, in Beloit, Wisconsin and retired in 1992 from Stephen Mack Middle School, at Rockton, Illinois. In the later years of her teaching career, Helen was a pioneer in the special education field, serving as advocate for countless children in the Rockton area with special education needs. Helen made major contributions throughout the years with countless students and their families. She never hesitated to get involved in her own unique way. Helen married Gerald E. Smith of Beloit, Wisconsin in November 1951. They raised three children together in Rockton. They divorced in 1984. Everyone who knew Helen remembers that she loved playing the piano, sewing and baking. She was a Pillsbury Bake-Off winner in 1957. Helen had lifelong affiliations with the United Methodist Church and was a 50-year member of PEO. She was currently a member of Chapter DT, PEO, and the Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. She had a passion for history, especially relating to Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. Helen married Richard Kohl of Williamsville, Illinois in 1989 after a six year courtship. They built a house in Williamsville, where they lived for 11-years. During this time she established loving relationships with Richard's grown children and their families. She remained active in the historic Springfield community and she and Richard were docents at the Old State Capitol in Springfield for several years. Eventually Helen grew homesick for Iowa so Richard and Helen built a house in Mount Vernon, to be near her lifelong friends. She moved "home" in 2000. Helen is survived by her husband, Richard Kohl; her children: Bradley D. Smith, Rondi Grace (Margaret) and Stewart Clyde-Smith (Ryan); father of her children Gerald E. Smith (Mary Ann); special daughter-in-law, Marianne; grandchildren Edwin, Scott, Emma, and Jackson; sister-in-law, Margaret Clyde; and nieces: Louise, Laura, and Linda. Richard's children: Paul Kohl (MiCha) and sons Jonathon and Justin, Cathie Morlock (John) and children: Matthew, Elizabeth, and Colin; Patricia Grimm (Greg) and children Tiffany Nickols (Mike), Lindsay Hyman (Devin) and Jace; Peter Kohl (Genevieve) and daughter Samantha. Great grandchildren include, Lexi Hyman; Ian, Owen, and Brady Nichols; and sister-in-law, Margaret Curttright. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her dear brother Robert Clyde. .and something will be missing in all of our lives. Memorials in Helen's honor may be made to the United Methodist Church, 304 West First Street, or Mount Vernon Volunteer Ambulance, 213 First Street West, both from Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314. Cremation arrangements by Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel. Memorial services will be held in Mount Vernon at a later date. On-line condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com