Helen Riedesel

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Helen L. Riedesel, 84, of Davenport will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Davenport, with a visitation an hour prior at the church before Mass. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, downtown Davenport, with a vigil service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Memorials may be made to the Genesis Foundation/Nursing Scholarships specifically, and St. Paul the Apostle Church.

Helen died Friday, December 13, 2019 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Helen L. Deering was born August 17, 1935 in Ottawa, Illinois the daughter of Elzie and Kathryn “Kay” (Meady) Deering. She was united in marriage to James Riedesel August 4, 1962. She graduated from St. Ambrose College of Nursing (St. Ambrose University), earning her BSN. She worked for Dr. Stan Smazal, then at the former Mercy Hospital, and Genesis Medical Center (West campus), retiring after 40 years of nursing.

Helen enjoyed traveling and playing bridge. Her memberships included both the American and Iowa Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses, the American Nurses Association, and St. Paul’s Alter and Rosary. She was past director of the Iowa Society of Peri Anesthesia Nurses and past president of Riverbend Chapter ANA.

Survivors include her husband Jim, and their daughter Mary (Patrick) Siffermann and granddaughters Riona and Clare Siffermann, Arlington,Virginia; and step children; Michael (Sally Smith) Riedesel, Harvey, Louisiana; Carol Burke, Urbandale, Iowa and granddaughter Amanda (Todd Ford) Albion, Nebraska, Ann (Jeff ) Ring, Davenport; as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother John, and infant son, Steven.