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Helen Bosley, 89, of Storm Lake died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake.
Funeral Mass will take place Monday, Oct. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, from 4-7 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Helen Ann Connell was born on a farm northwest of Storm Lake on Nov. 18, 1933 the oldest daughter of Clarence and Mary Connell.
She attended high school at St. Mary’s and graduated in a class of 12 in 1951. During her high school years she babysat, worked at the Root Beer stand, Horse Shoe Grill and Boyce’s Cream Station on Saturday’s. While working at Boyce’s Station, she met Ernie Bosley while he was home on leave from the Navy.
After graduation she worked at JCPenney in several departments. She and Ernie were married at St. Mary’s Church on June 16, 1952. Together they made their home in Storm Lake. They had six children: Kenny, Mike, Kathy, Mary, Tom and Teresa. After her children were all in school and she had more “free time,” she started work at Hoffman’s. After five years Marion and Russ Hoffman offered to sell her the shop. On Aug. 15, 1972 Helen purchased the flower and candle shop. She owned the shop for over 50 years and loved every minute of it. Over the years, she had a lot of help from her family. Many family members and friends got their first “real job” at Hoffman’s.
Among many of her accomplishments, while on the board of Storm Lake Chamber of Commerce, Helen became the first female President of the Chamber Board. In 2002, she was the Business Person of the year, 2006 she received Chamber Involvement of the year with the prized award, Scrooge Contest Winner. Helen was active in raising money and working with other business owners to put lights on the downtown buildings, which are still maintained today. She helped raise money to purchase flags that are displayed around Storm Lake. Helen loved Santa’s Castle and was an active board member for this, working fundraisers, donating countless hours of her time. She was an active member and an officer of St. Mary’s Auxiliary Guild and Catholic Daughters of America.
After 64 years of marriage, on Sept. 24, 2016, her beloved Ernie passed away. In 2017, Helen moved to Methodist Manor where she made many great memories with old and new friends.
Those left to cherish her memory are children: Ken (Johanna) Bosley of Abita Springs, La.; Mike Bosley of Aurelia; Kathy Mummert of Storm Lake; Mary (Ed) Larsen of Storm Lake; Tom (Jodi) Bosley of Sioux City; Teresa (Rick) Siewert of Perryton, Texas; brother Dan (Linda) Connell of Storm Lake; sister Dorothy Hammer of Hamden, Conn.; grandchildren: Christa Furden of Abita Springs, La.; Chad (Melissa) Bosley of Chicago, Ill.; Julie (Brian) Miller of Storm Lake; Sarah (Mike) Bartling of Storm Lake; Katie (Colby) Smith of Lacona; Molly (Nathan) Hippen of Iowa Falls; Halie (Bryan) Larsen Siefker of Des Moines; Braden (Meredith) Bosley of Des Moines; Beau Bosley of Sioux City; Jennifer (Justin) Buendia of Amarillo, Texas; Cameron (Will) Siewert of Santa Fe, N.M.; Caroline Siewert of Los Angeles, Calif.; great-grandchildren: Abigail Bosley; Keegan, Kennadie and Kale Miller; Emery, Billie, Brooke and Mary Stella Smith; Holden, Hadlie and Huxten Hippen; Landon and Case Buendia; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; her parents Mary and Clarence Connell; in-laws Claude and Opal Bosley; and her granddaughter Heidi Mummert.
