Helen (Merritt) Lemley

Elida Helen Lemley (née Merritt), 81, passed peacefully at her home in Lone Tree, Iowa on Sunday, January 18, 2026.  In accordance with her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Lone Tree is caring for Helen’s family and arrangements.

Helen was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming, where she grew up as one of twelve siblings—a fact she carried with great pride, especially as the only one to graduate high school with a diploma. She later took college classes at The University of Iowa, always valuing learning and self-improvement. Most of her working career was spent as a typesetter in downtown Iowa City, where she was well known for her lightning-fast fingers and dedication to her craft.

Helen possessed an extraordinary work ethic, often working long hours with determination and pride. She believed deeply in the value of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance—values she modeled daily and passed down to her children, shaping the character of her family for generations.

Helen was known for her generosity, kind heart, and deep love of family. She had a creative spirit and enjoyed all forms of crafting, especially making handmade birthday cards for each of her children and grandchildren—treasured keepsakes that will forever hold her love. She believed in showing up for others, whether through small daily kindnesses or meaningful service.

Her commitment to community was evident throughout her life. She volunteered with a group from Lone Tree to help rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina, served on the Lone Tree City Council for eight years, and founded the Lone Tree Farmer’s Market, creating a welcoming space that brought neighbors together and supported local growers and makers. To those who knew her well, Helen was simply “a G”—strong, capable, and quietly remarkable.

Family was the center of Helen’s life. She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and example, and she was a cherished pseudo-mom to many nieces and nephews, offering guidance, care, and unwavering support.

Helen is survived by her beloved husband, Phillip Lemley; her children, Katherine (Greg) Lemley of Arvada, Colorado, Thomas (Julie) Lemley of Wilmington, North Carolina, Jana (Ray) Lower of Williamsburg, Iowa, and Alysa (Brian) Coppinger of Marion, Iowa; her sister, Clarice Cairns; her grandchildren, Savant (Monique) Suykerbuyk, Caroline Lemley, Merritt Lemley, Avery Lemley, Tom (Heidi) Lower, Nicholas (Megan) Gluba, Michael Lemley, Kyra (Jesus) Sotelo, Gabriel (Emily) Coppinger, Kellan Coppinger, and Konner (Shay) Coppinger; and her great-grandchildren, James Suykerbuyk, Milo Suykerbuyk, Mary Gluba, Grayden Lemley, River Lemley, Jackson Lemley, Charlie Lower, Henry Lower, Danny Recker, Joey Recker, Kaylee Sotelo, Emery Goodknight, and Kaire Coppinger.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie Robert Merritt and Elida Gertrude (Atherton) Merritt; and her siblings, Geraldine Merritt, Georgia Holden, Jean Wick, Leslie Merritt, John Merritt, Bernadine Norman, Tom Merritt, Mary Poledna, and Patricia Merritt.

Helen’s love, leadership, and unwavering work ethic live on through her family and all those whose lives she touched.

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