Alice Marie Lomen

MASON CITY: Alice Marie (Hellin) Lomen, 86, of Mason City, went to meet her lord on Sunday, May 3, 2015 with her family by her side. In lieu of a funeral, Alice wanted a “Celebration of her life” together with her family and friends that was held on April 29 at the Grace Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Scott Davis officiating. Inurnment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City on June 12, 2015 for family and close friends. The entire family, including her two month old great granddaughter, Rya, was blessed to spend time with Alice during the week prior to her death. Alice was born February 21, 1929 in Kenosha, Wisconsin the daughter of Oscar and Myrtle (Haas) Hellin. She attended school in Kenosha until the age of 7 when her parents moved to Zion, Illinois where she attended Lakeview Elementary and Zion Benton Township High School graduating in 1946. During high school, Alice worked at a local restaurant and after graduation she went to work for Marshall Field and Co. in Zion as the “accounts payable clerk” for 3 years. She then attended Moody Bible Institute taking the general music course. It was there she met her husband, Edgar. They were married July 27, 1950. Upon moving to Mason City, she served in secretarial positions at Harold Motors, a Lincoln-Mercury dealer, Steward Farm Chemicals and completed her secretarial career with the Mason City Community School District as an administrative secretary in the central office and Roosevelt Elementary School, retiring after 26 years with the district. Alice loved music and took piano lessons at a young age. As a teen she played in a music group along with her father. After moving to Mason City, Alice became involved in music at the Grace Evangelical Free Church, formerly Grace Baptist Church, where she and her husband were charter members. Alice served as church pianist and organist for over 40 years. She also served in the nursery for 10 years, served as special events coordinator, was involved in the remodeling of the former church sanctuary and served on the first committee for the groundwork of the new church. Alice was a frequent volunteer in the church office, doing special projects, working in Awanas and helping in many different ways before and after her retirement. It was also her joy to minister to elderly women who had no family to care for them for many years until her own health began failing. Alice also served on the board of the Christian Woman’s Club for several years, was a volunteer for Easter Seals and the United Way. Alice loved to crochet and made afghans for many babies and friends through the years. She also made many special afghans for her grandchildren which they will treasure in her memory. Alice’s faith in God was the underlying strength in all of her situations of life. Her life’s verse was Proverbs 5:7/8 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.” Alice loved her family dearly and her daughters and grandchildren were always there for her. They brought her so much joy and support and stood by her in the tough times and provided sweet fellowship through the years and she thanks them for that. Alice and her family want to thank the staff at Homestead Assisted Living for their loving care and enjoyable fellowship the past two years. Additionally, a special thanks to her Mercy Medical Team, especially Dr. Samuel Congello, Jennifer McCambridge and Dr. Mark Johnson for the exceptional care they provided. Finally, the family wants to thank Pat Wright and Stacie Davis for their personal time, support and love they gave to Alice throughout her illness. Alice is survived by her two daughters, Ruth Anne (Peter) Andolino of Louisville, KY and Rachel Lomen of Des Moines; grandchildren, Ryan “Rob” (Luisa) Olson of Omaha, NE, Rissa (Ben Norbrothen) Olson of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Racee (Ben) Francis of Stuart, FL, Madyson Schmida of Denver, CO, Elizabeth (Robbie Gennet) Christensen of Agoura Hill, CA. and Hunter Schmida of Iowa City, IA; great grandchildren, Rozlyn Olson of Omaha, NE, Ryker Francis of Stuart, FL, Kieren Gennet of Agoura Hills, CA, Sabastian Barbosa of Omaha, NE and Rya Francis of Stuart, FL Alice was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Edgar, and a grand-daughter, Rorry. Memorials may be directed to Grace Evangelical Free Church or the American Heart Association.