Helen L.DeBode, 99 years, 7 months of Bowman, ND, died on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Southwest Healthcare Long Term Care Center in Bowman, ND.

Funeral services for Helen will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Bowman United Methodist Church. Pastor Val Rush will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. Visitation for Helen will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010 until 9 p.m. at the Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel.

Helen Louise Brewer was born on September 29, 1910 in Garden City, SD. She was raised on the family farm near Bowman and attended rural grade school at Buffalo #2. She then attended and graduated from Bowman High School in 1928. After high school Helen moved with her family to California where she attended Long Beach Commercial College. Helen and her family returned to Bowman where she continued courtship with Joe DeBode whom she had met in 1924 while attending church. On February 7, 1933, Joe and Helen were united in marriage at Joe's parent's home at the Steam Bakery in Bowman. Helen and Joe spent many years in business on Main Street as they had a small cafe called Joe's Lunch for 10 years. They then purchased the Clara Lincoln Hotel and Café which they ran for another 25 years. During this time they also started the Flower Shop located within the hotel and café complex. In 1975, Joe and Helen sold their businesses, retired and continued to make their home in Bowman. They spent many winter months in various warmer climates, however always returning to Bowman as that was home.

Helen enjoyed gardening, reading and hand work such as knitting, crocheting and was a fantastic pie maker. She will be remembered for her wonderful stories and accurate recollections of earlier days which she has typed up for her family to enjoy. She loved sending cards and typed letters to her friends and family on special occasions.

Helen is survived by her sons and daughter, Donald (Patricia) DeBode of Oak Harbor, WA, Dorothy DeBode Dishman of Cheney, WA and Joe C. DeBode of Mountain View, CA; four grandchildren, Debra DeBode (Dale Pickard), Douglas (Sandy) and Gary (Archie) DeBode, and Heidi (Eric) Smith; eight great grandchildren, Anders Knospe, Christopher, Jason (Natasha) and Bradley, Lilli, Sophie and Ella DeBode and Griffyn Smith; sisters Veneta Iverson and Shirley (Dub) McMullan; sisters-in-law, Marian Brewer and Lois DeBode and many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Lena Brewer, husband, Joe and brother Wilbur Brewer.

Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Service of Bowman is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to the Bowman United Methodist Church, Southwest Healthcare Services or any charity of choice.