Nancy Ellen Helm passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2021. Nancy was born on December 12, 1943, in Des Moines, IA to Lawrence Wallace Harmon and Jenny Louise (Cox) Harmon.
Nancy was a loving, caring, and non-judgmental mother to her four sons, Richard Loren Helm, William Lawrence (Larry) Helm (Chris), Steven Louis Helm (Lana), and Randal Lee Helm (Bambi). While raising her boys (all of which were her favorite sons), Nancy worked at Eaton factory in Savannah, Illinois, then at Guide One Insurance in West Des Moines, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield downtown Des Moines, until she retired in 2008.
Nancy spent her life enjoying being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It’s been said a time or two that she loved having forbidden “midnight snacks” with her nine grandchildren: Latisha Cochran (Steve), Cheyenne Helm (Lee), Vince Helm, Nick Helm, Jenny Helm, Donovan Helm (Kat), Connor Helm, Taylor Boyenga (Jordan), and Darren Helm (Meaghan McCarthy). She also loved doting on her four great-grandchildren: Emma Cochran, Elijah Wright, Irel Niederklopfer, and Piper Helm.
Nancy enjoyed some traveling with friends and family during her lifetime. Some memorable trips were to Arizona and Silver Dollar City. She spent that last 3 ½ years living with her son Randy and his wife, Bambi. Nancy and Bambi got to spend some time visiting Nancy’s cousins, going to Pella to see the beautiful tulips, and seeing the Bridges of Madison County.
Nancy LOVED animated movies and imparted a love of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel movies to her children and grandchildren. A favorite among the grandkids was “The Land Before Time” and the Harry Potter series. She also enjoyed detective, true-crime, and home-improvement TV shows. She watched them so much her boys could name some of the HGTV designers by name.
Nancy lived her life as a true believer in Christ, where we know she is celebrating eternity with her Lord, Jesus Christ, as well as her parents, her sister Beverly Kerns, brother-in-law Roger Kerns, and multiple Cox cousins, where there’s a heck of a Cox reunion going on right now.
Nancy is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as her nephew Brian (Cathy) Kerns, niece Julianne (Joel) Coddington, great nephew Carter Coddington, great-niece Emma Coddington, and her beloved dog, Rizzo, who was her faithful companion for the last three years.
Nancy’s family wants to give a special thank you to her PA, Dallas Sanders, and his nurse Nancy. Dallas and Nancy were instrumental in managing Nancy’s health and making the last several years of her life enjoyable.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Brooks Funeral Home, 2135 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315. A visitation will precede the Celebration at 10 AM, also at Brooks Funeral Home. A private burial will be held later.
Those who wish to attend who cannot go in person can view the Celebration of Life over livestream at :https://player.vimeo.com/video/617128808?h=aa3f4e5f53
