Helen Jean McKinstry, 81, of Mount Vernon, died in the early morning hours of March 5th, 2022, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House, with her loving family at her side, from complications of a sudden illness and dementia.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 Thursday afternoon, March 10, 2022, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello.  Friends may call after 12 noon at the church.   Interment will be in the Wayne Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Helen's pastor, Rev. Paris White, from Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church will officiate the services. . Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Helen and her family into their care.  By visiting Goettschonline.com you may share your thoughts, memories, and condolences with Helen's family and sign her online guest book.

Surviving are her Daughter, Dawn Buol of Wyoming, Grandson Benjamin (Angie) Buol, Cooper, Tatum and Antin all of Marion. Grandson Brandon (Aimee) Buol, Harper, and Catherine all of Columbus Junction. Son, Ronald (Danie) McKinstry of Palo, Grandson Zac (Fiance Bre) McKinstry of Palo, Grandson Logan (Brooke) McKinstry, Bodie and Grant all of Urbana. Brother in-law Larry Behrends of Monticello, and her beloved German Shepard Sunny.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Henry & Catherine Harms Folkers; infant brother Richard; husband Stuart McKinstry; sisters and brothers in law; Margaret & Paul Whear,  Alice & Ted Henderson, Lois Behrends.

Helen Jean Folkers was born October 9th, 1939, in Wayne Township, Jones County, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Harms) Folkers. Helen received her early education in the Wayne Township schools. She graduated from Monticello Community Schools with the class of 1957. In high school, Helen met her forever Valentine Stuart McKinstry, whom she married on February 14 1958. Helen was a homemaker until her children were in grade school. She began working as a secretary organizing every office that she worked in, DC Taylor, Allied Insurance, White Trucking Company, and Coors Company until she attended Kirkwood Community College where she graduated with her medical coding and transcriptionist degree. She then worked in the medical coding and billing office for Mercy Hospital until she retired.

In addition to raising two children, she was an avid gardener and dedicated church member. Helen was a member of the Linn County Master Gardeners for many years taking pride in her ability to beautify the world around her. She was a founding member of Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church in Lisbon. Where she was a faithful servant of the lord through her works with Monday morning ministries, Grounds and gardening, serving on church boards, and volunteering where the Lord needed her.

She loved her dogs, family, and friends. Her time spent with them were her most cherished moments. In lieu of flowers, Helen's wishes were that memorials be made to Cedar Valley Humane Society or Seeds of Faith Lutheran church for a garden bench to add to the beautiful landscaping.

Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be left at Goettschonline.com