THOMSON – Helen May Rapp Dimmick always told her children “I’d rather be outside than in the house.” She was known by her kids as “Mom Extraordinaire.” At the age of 89, Helen passed into the arms of God on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, from Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, Iowa.  

Helen was born April 11, 1924, on the family farm in Henry County. She loved the outdoors and caring for the animals on the farm. Helen attended country school and graduated salutatorian of Prophetstown High School with the class of 1942. She also graduated from American Institute of Commerce in Davenport, Iowa. On Oct. 16, 1953, Helen married Carroll Robert Dimmick in Prophetstown. They celebrated 55 years of marriage. Carroll passed away July 2, 2008.

Helen worked up until the time she began to have children, working at Libby McNeil Milk Condensing Factory, Illinois Northern Utility Co., Eclipse Lawnmower Co. and Thomson State Bank. She was a homemaker at heart, and loved raising their four children. Helen enjoyed gardening, canning jellies and jams, trains, tractors, dolls, collecting pigs, watching birds, traveling and watching her soaps. She was a member of Thomson United Methodist Church, where she served on the Ladies Aid Society, and she faithfully helped at Thomson Melon Days.

Helen will be dearly missed by a daughter, Patricia (John) Benson of Iowa City, Iowa; three sons, Craig (Kathy) Dimmick of Mount Carroll, Curt (Alana) Dimmick of Chiloquin, Ore., and Kevin (Connie) Dimmick of Mount Carroll; 12 grandchildren, Kierstin, Kyler, Kaileine, and Koltin Dimmick, Allison, Ryan, Jared Benson, Eli and Riley Dimmick, Tracy (Kelcy) Hutchison, Tammy (Matt) Hale, and Tina (Greg) Pallardy; six great-grandchildren, Grayson and Maddox Hale, Kailyn and Rowen Hutchison, and Jack and Drew Pallardy; a sister, June Swanson of Prophetstown; a sister-in-law, Elsie Dimmick of Camanche, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll; and both parents.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday and the funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Thomson United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Paul Fritz officiating. Burial will be at Lower York Cemetery in Thomson.

Memorials may be sent to the family.

Visit www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com to send condolences.