Mervyn "Merv" L. Helfert

Mervyn “Merv” L. Helfert, age 81, of Sabula, Iowa, passed away Monday, March 19, 2018, at home. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, 2018, at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Preston, Iowa. Burial will take place in Smith Cemetery, Almont, Iowa, with military rites accorded by the Spencer-Cook Post #677 Miles American Legion. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, Friday, March 23, 2018, prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the family in Merv’s memory.

Merv was born on October 9, 1936, in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Leigh and Elizabeth (Cheney) Helfert. He attended Sabula High School and graduated with the Class of 1954. Following high school, Merv enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy, Merv traveled to the Artic Circle, Hawaii, and Japan. He later went on to attend Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa where he received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. Merv married the love of his life, Carol Sievert on February 4, 1961, at the United Methodist Church in Clinton. They shared 57 years of marriage. Merv worked as an FS salesman, a county extension agent, and then consultant for the Iowa Farm Business Association. In 1976, Merv and Carol moved back to the Century Family Farm in Sabula. Merv worked the family farm and processed taxes as an independent tax consultant until his retirement.

Merv was an active member in the Miles American Legion. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting mushrooms and growing sweet corn. Spending time with his family meant the world to him.

Merv will be dearly missed by his wife, Carol; daughter, Kenna and husband Eric Atherton of Rochester, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Parker and Alissa Atherton; and sister, Valda Johnson of Miles. Merv was preceded in death by his son, Mark, and his parents.