Helen Marie (McConahay) Walkup was born in Portland, Oregon, September 8, 1937, to Rinaldo David “Tate” and Irene Maxine Elizabeth “Dennis” McConahay.
She was called home peacefully to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Clearview Nursing Home in Mt. Ayr, Iowa at the age of 88.
Through Helen’s life many people were blessed to work with her. She worked as a car hop (on roller skates) serving ice cream, sandwiches and other foods in Kansas City, Missouri; for the cap factory in Grant City, Missouri; for O’Bryan Brothers in Bedford, Iowa; and detasseled corn. She also worked for McDonald’s factory in Creston, Iowa and sold Avon for many years. She worked for Richard Oil Station and Horton Floor Covering in Humeston, Iowa, until finally retiring in 2020.
Helen also spent time caring for several people in the community that needed assistance. She volunteered her time with the Tuff Team at Christian United Methodist Church, the Red Hat Society and Bridge Club, all of Humeston. She was also a member of the Blockton Ladies Auxiliary.
Inspired by the generosity shown to the granddaughter she lost, Helen spent her free time crocheting many baby hats to be donated and given to newborns at Mercy and Methodist Hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa. She enjoyed watching her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids playing sports. Her love for sports, especially Mormon Trail High School, continued even after the kids were grown. This and Willie’s love for coaching prompted her to start watching sports on television. She loved playing all kinds of games. Whether it be Bridge with her friends in Humeston, spending time with her family, fishing, playing Yahtzee, Bingo, Texas Hold’em, or watching soap operas and game shows, she loved it all. One of Helen’s favorite things to do was to sit at the kitchen table with a good cup of coffee playing endless games of Cribbage with her late husband, Willie.
Of all the things that Helen loved in life, her children and grandchildren meant the most. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Walkup; daughter, Debbie Clear, whom she missed and loved so much; granddaughter, Ellie Walkup; great-granddaughter, Sara Hubert Clear; and great-great-grandson, Logan Wall; her parents, Tate and Irene; daughter-in-law, Sara (Rankin) Walkup; and sister, Shirley Barber.
She is survived by her children: David Wall Sr. of Granby, MO; Duane (Cindy) Wall of Athelstan, IA; Douglas Wall of Rensselaer, IN; Drexal (Lora) Wall of Blockton, IA; Tina (Lonnie) Thrailkill of Princeton, MO; Tom (Lesley) Walkup of Humeston, IA; and Sam (Lucy) Walkup of Princeton, MO; Grandchildren: David Jr., Anthony, Rebecca, Samantha, Daniel, Thomas, Tammy, Tate, Crystal, Lindsey, Lincoln, Kristie, Gary Jr, Chris, Clarissa, Benjamin, Zachary, Hannah, Miranda, LeAnn, George, Wrigley, Mia, Annika, Brieana, Dalton, Wilbur, Laynie, Emma and Max, 58 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and 1 on the way; son-in-law Gary Clear Sr.; sister, Stella Lantz; brother, Stanley McConahay; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, at Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton. Iowa.
There was also a Celebration of Life from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Humeston Christian United Methodist Church, 506 S. Front St, Humeston, Iowa.
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