Helen Overton

Helen Marie Parsons Overton, 79, formerly of Newton, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at Iles Funeral Homes – Grandview Park Chapel. Burial will follow at Newton Memorial Park Cemetery. Her family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Helen was born on May 14, 1932, in Olivet, S.D., the daughter of Edward and Erna Mettler. Helen was married to Floyd Parsons Jr. for 52 years. He preceded her in death in January 2002. Helen worked as a telephone operator for 44 years for United Telephone Company in Newton and retired in 1993. She lived in Newton for 52 years and moved to Des Moines in 2002 upon her marriage to Melvin L. Overton. She enjoyed sewing and quilting and spending time with her family. Helen was a member of Unity Lutheran Church in Des Moines and a former member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newton.

Helen is survived by her husband, Melvin Overton; sons, Sam (Julie) Parsons and Steve (Phyllis) Parsons all of Newton; daughter, Cindy (Roger) Rupp of Clinton, Iowa; 11 step-children; over 40 grandchildren; over 45 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Maynard (Donna) Mettler of Newton, Walter Mettler of Des Moines, Mary Lou Eggers and Kathy Ann Solt, both of Ft. Dodge, and Vernon Eggers of Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Floyd Parsons Jr.; daughter, Sandra Parsons; grandson, Baron Rupp; four sisters, Ruth Filson, Alice Laver, Ellen Schmidt and Dorothy Weideman; two brothers, Robert and Gene Mettler; and two step-sons.

Memorials may be made to Taylor House Hospice. Helen will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends.