Obituary of Helen Ruth Wacker

Helen Ruth Wacker, 85 longtime resident of Iowa City died Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at her home surrounded by those who loved her dearly. A time celebrating Helen's life will be held from 4 to 6 pm Friday, July 10, 2015, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Private interment services will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to The Iowa City Crisis Center – Food Bank. Online condolences may be sent for Helen's family through the web@ www.gayandciha.com. Helen Ruth Havercamp was born November 27, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa the daughter of George R. and Dorothy (Farnsworth) Havercamp. Her family moved to Davenport where she attended schools, graduating from Davenport High School in 1947. She then attended University of Dubuque, later transferring to the University of Iowa where she received her bachelor's degree. She has been a proud member of TTT Society since her childhood. On October 8, 1955 she was united in marriage to Mervyn C. Wacker in Davenport. Helen worked as a cook for the Tau Kappa Epsilon House here in Iowa City for over 15 years. She loved the young people, and was good as a cook, so she continued doing what she loved for the Girl Scout camps Conestoga and Widjiwagan in Iowa and Illinois for several years. She was affectionately known as "Blossom" to so many of these young people. Along with her husband, Merv, they belonged to the Corvair Society of America and the Iowa Corvair Enthusiasts. They enjoyed traveling together, but most of all, she loved being wife, mom, grandma and great grandma to her family! Her family includes her husband, Merv; children, Kimberly D. Wacker of Oakland, TN; David C. Wacker of Corpus Christi, TX; Karen W. Tinkey (Bret) of Cedar Rapids; and John R. Wacker (Darla) of Ft. Madison; 3 grandsons, Duane Coffman (Leslie), Austin Wacker, and Zachary Tinkey; 3 great-grandsons, Reece, Collin and Wyatt Coffman; brothers, James R. Havercamp and Alan R. Havercamp (Lynell) all of Davenport; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Betty Havercamp.