Helen Gladys Richmond, age 102, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026. A mother, loyal friend, and devoted wife, she lived a life marked by a quiet playfulness, generosity, and strong faith in the Lord.
Helen was born on September 28, 1924 in Macon, Missouri to Murray and Clara Daniel Bode. She graduated from Palmyra High School in 1941 and attended one semester at the University of Missouri before moving to Fort Madison and working for the war effort. She found employment in Sheaffer Pen Company’s war plant, where she remained for five years.
Many years later, after raising children to school age, Helen worked in the Fort Madison High School cafeteria. There she found joy and camaraderie, cooking school lunches with some of her closest friends. Over 31 years as a lunch lady, her cinnamon rolls were everybody’s favorite.
Helen was an active member of Fort Madison’s First Christian Church, where she attended weekly and taught Sunday school. She volunteered with the CWF and the Fort Madison RSVP. Later in life, she attended the Marion Methodist Church with her son and daughter-in-law.
On March 29, 1945 in Fort Madison, Helen married a man she met while working at Sheaffer Pen Company, Jack Richmond. They were together for more than 50 years. Jack preceded her in death on March 26, 2003. Helen is survived by 2 sons, Michael (Eunice) Richmond of Marion, IA and Robert (Julie) Richmond of Montrose, IA; 3 grandchildren: Claire (Michael Wagler) Richmond; Jacob (Allie) Richmond; and Danni (Andrew) Bollinger; 7 great-grandchildren Oaklynn Richmond, Kane Richmond, Finn Wagler, Hutch Wagler, Hailie King, Madeline Bollinger and Frankie Bollinger. She was preceded in death by her sweet and loyal dog Millie.
Helen loved her family and friends. She was an avid reader and loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan. Go Hawks! She wanted to give special thanks to Mike and Eunice for their love and care during her final years. She also wanted to share her favorite Bible verse: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24
Services will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 10:00 am at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory, 3507 Avenue L, Fort Madison, IA 52627, with Rev. Leslie Dalstra officiating. Please join the family beforehand for a visitation from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Helen Richmond to the First Christian Church, 608 Tenth St, Fort Madison, IA 52627 or Marion Methodist Church, 5050 REC Drive, Marion, IA 52302. Online condolences to the Richmond family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
