Helena Joffer ’56 Lawrence

Helena J. Lawrence, 95, of Sioux City passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at a local care facility. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Helena Marie Lawrence was born on December 25, 1927 in Okaton, South Dakota, one of thirteen children born to George and Marie (Hoekman) Joffer. She received her education in South Dakota and Minnesota, graduating in 1944 in Chandler, MN. She went on to attend Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she received a teaching degree. She joined Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, where she retained membership for over 50 years. She taught for five years in country schools in South Dakota, for a year and a half in Holland, Michigan, and for six years in Denver prior to joining the Sioux City Community School System. There she taught for 27 years, including years at Grant from 1963-1979 and at Hunt from 1979-1990.

On June 22, 1974, Helena married Harold Lawrence at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City.

Helena and Harold enjoyed traveling together and attending his military ship’s reunions. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing cards with her nieces and nephews, growing violets, and volunteering at schools.

Survivors include her sister, Sarena (George) Breza of Crovet, Virginia; sister-in-law, Coral Joffer of Freeman, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold in 2020; her parents; her parents-in-law, William and Chloe Lawrence; and eleven brothers and sisters.