Helena Marie Tank

Helena Marie Tank, age 101, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. Born on April 10, 1924, near Carnarvon, Iowa, to Gerd and Grace (Ohden) Gerdes, Helena attended country school through the eighth grade and carried a lifelong love of learning. Later in life, while her daughters were in school, she proudly earned both her high school equivalency diploma and her Certified Nursing Assistant certification.

On September 12, 1945, Helena married the love of her life, Clifford L. Tank, in Wall Lake, Iowa. Together they built their life and farming partnership on the Tank family farm near Manning, Iowa, where they raised livestock, cared for the land, and raised their family for nearly four decades until their retirement in 1984.

Helena loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Manning, where she faithfully served as an elder. She was also deeply involved in the Homemakers Club, Garden Club, and Eastern Star, forming many lasting friendships. An energetic spirit with a love of life, she was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, a skilled card player, an avid gardener, and a meticulous housekeeper who took pride in her beautiful flowers. She enjoyed horseback riding and golfing in retirement, and she and Clifford especially cherished dancing together with friends.

Helena is lovingly survived by her four daughters, Dian Schons of Mahwah, New Jersey, Gretchen (Allen) Rowedder of Jefferson, Gwen (John) Detlefsen of Manning, and Becky (Jim) Venner of Breda; her foreign exchange daughter, Bronwen Hart, an AFS student in 1967–1968 from Christchurch, New Zealand; her sister, Esther Bielema of Wall Lake; her sister-in-law, Norma Bourn of Woodland, California; and many grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clifford; her parents; her brothers and sister; her parents-in-law; several brothers- and sisters-in-law; and her granddaughter, Heather Lansman. Helena leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, a strong work ethic, and an abiding love for her family. She will be remembered for her resilience, kindness, and the life she built alongside Clifford on the farm they cherished.