Helen L. Adam, age 97, died early Easter Sunday morning, April 5th, 2026, at her residence in Fairfield, IA. Helen was born on January 21,1929, to Joseph and Clara Peiffer Pacha in Jefferson County, Iowa. She graduated from Ottumwa Heights Academy and attended Ottumwa Heights College. Helen married Elmer A. Adam at St. Joseph’s Church in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa on August 12, 1948. They celebrated 70 years of married life together, making their home north of Richland. She was a member of the original Parish Council of Mother Cabrini Church in Richland. She served as the Religious Education Director of the parish for many years. Her greatest joy was being a farm wife and mother to her 13 children. Her family was all blessed by her example of faith and love.
Survivors include ten sons: Robert (Sandy) of Mills, MA; Father Nick of Fairfield; Steve (Mary K) of Greensburg, IN; James of Iowa City; Andy (Patty) of Richland; Ken (Peg) of Chanhassen, MN; Father Rich of Bettendorf, IA; Father Chuck of Coralville, IA; Paul (Diane) of Solon, IA; Chris (Christy) of Lodi, CA; three daughters: Suanne Dickey (Garry) of Packwood, IA; Mary Morales (Ed) of Richland, IA; Teresa
Green (Brian) of Boone, IA; 23 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and four brothers: Leonard Pacha (Margaret), Father Raymond Pacha, Richard Pacha (Mary), and Harold Pacha (Marian and Dottie).
Funeral services will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield on Monday, April 13th. Visitation with the family will be from 9-11:00 with the Mass beginning at 11:00. Luncheon will follow immediately in the church hall. Cremation will take place following the service with burial to be held at a later date in the Richland Friends Cemetery. The family respectfully request that in leu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Priests’ Aid Society of the Davenport Diocese or NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) and may be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556.
Friends may leave online condolences or join the webcast at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
