White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Helen A. (Heyer) Fridley,  83 years old of Independence, Iowa, died on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  She was born on September 24, 1933, in Sumner, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Fannie Minerva (Pratt) Heyer.  She was baptized on November 28, 1933, and confirmed on March 30, 1947, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sumner.  After she graduated from high school in Sumner with the Class of 1951, she attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. On February 4, 1953, she and Robert John Fridley were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sumner.  He preceded her in death in 2014.

Mrs. Fridley was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  She was employed by Peoples Memorial Hospital and the Independence Senior Center as a cook, and she also was a substitute cook for the Independence Community Schools.  She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence where she served on the fellowship committee and altar care.  She also was a circle member.

She was involved in Boy and Girl Scouts as a Den Mother and Brownie Leader.  She volunteered as a mentor in the Independence Schools and with the Red Cross Blood drives.  She also delivered Meals on Wheels and served as an election poll watcher.  Her hobbies and interests included crocheting, sewing, and games of any kind.  She was a devoted Los Angeles Dodger fan.

Mrs. Fridley is survived by 2 sons, Ben (Mary) Fridley of Hampton, Iowa, and Richard Fridley of Oelwein, Iowa, 1 daughter, Jeanne (Leon) Bachman of Independence, 5 grandchildren, Brent (Stacy) Fridley of Prairie City, Iowa, Andrea (Brett) Soukup of Independence, Kevin (Lauren) Fridley of Ankeny, Paul (Keeley) Bachman of Independence, Bryce Bachman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and 9 great grandchildren, Jayden, Rylan, and Bryson Fridley, Tate and Tucker Soukup, Will and Gavin Fridley, and Brennan and Lydia Bachman.  She is also survived by 1 brother, Charles Heyer of Sumner, 1 sister, Jean (Bob) Cismowski of Chula Vista, California, 1 sister-in-law, Betty Fridley of Waterloo, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and 4 in-laws, Gwen Heyer, Ralph Fridley, Eileen (Fridley) Nacke, and Leo Nacke.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence, with Rev. Greg DeBoer officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for Visitation from 9 a.m. until service time at the church.  White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements.