Helen Gerst, 88, of Anamosa, died Tuesday December 3, 2019 at the Anamosa Care Center.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, December 7, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Anamosa. Rev. Rodney Bluml will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 8:30 am to the time of service at the church. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be shared with the family by using the " Guestbook " link located to the left.

Helen Marie Osterkamp was born April 5, 1931 in Anamosa, the daughter of Carl and Anne (Ketelsen) Osterkamp. Helen was working as a waitress at Ruby's Cafe in Anamosa when she met Dale Gerst. On June 14, 1948 the couple married in Anamosa. She was later employed at Collins Radio in Anamosa, and later operated the Gerst Farmers' Market and went on to work at McNamara's Laundromat.

She enjoyed antiquing and going to garage sales. She was an avid reader. She was a mild mannered good German woman who cherished her family and loved to spend time with them.

Those remembering her are her husband of 71 years Dale, her children C. Ed (Susan  Koppenhaver) Gerst, Anamosa, Bob ( Linda) Gerst, Buffalo Grove, IL, and Jerry Gerst, Anamosa, grandchildren Brandon (Megan Sasina) Gerst, Brielle (Eric Kula) Gerst, Dominique Gerst, Cassandra (Michael) Druen, Sean (Samantha) Gerst, Chad Gerst and Aaron (Adrian) Gerst, great grandchildren Leigha, Maddox, Aminah,  Riley, Amelia, Tori, Mia, Abby, Evan, Adian and Asher, a brother-in-law Leo (Lois) Gerst, Phoenix, AZ and her special friend  Jolene Jensen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law Donna Gerst, two sisters and two brothers.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of the Anamosa Care Center for the excellent loving care Helen received.