Helen Yvenne Hamburg, 88, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Van Buren County
Hospital with her loving family by her side. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March
18, 2025, at the Cantril United Methodist Church in Cantril, IA with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. Burial
will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril immediately following the service. Visitation will begin at
2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA with the
family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Helen’s honor
may be directed to the Maple Grove Cemetery Association and left a the funeral home or mailed c/o
Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences
at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Helen Hamburg was born on November 29, 1936, in rural Van Buren County, to parents Ralph and Anna
Grimes Wiley. Helen’s educational journey took her to Cantril, where she graduated from Cantril High
School in 1954. Soon after, she married her true love, Jack Hamburg. The newlyweds spent their early
years traveling for Jack’s job, residing in a mobile camper. Once they began their family, they settled on
a farm near Cantril. Helen embraced her role as the devoted mother of four sons: Jim, Dave, Dwayne,
and Tim.
Helen was not only a nurturing mother but also a dedicated farmwife, managing household
responsibilities while contributing to farm work as needed. From an early age, Helen had a passion for
reading, and whenever she had a moment to herself, she would immerse herself in a book. She
eventually found her dream job as a librarian at the Cantril Library and was an active member of the
library board. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, reflected in her lifelong membership and
participation in the Cantril United Methodist Church and its women’s groups.
Helen cherished time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her
presence will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and the entire community.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack (2018), and a brother, Jim Wiley.
Left to share her story are her children, Jim (Susan) Hamburg of Cantril, Dave (Cindy) Hamburg of Cantril,
Dwayne Hamburg of Cantril, and Tim (Kim) Hamburg of Bloomfield, IA; eight grandchildren, thirteen
great grandchildren; two sisters, Barb Short and Sue Burchett, as well as many extended family and
friends.
