The Life of HELEN VIRGINIA CLAYTON

Helen Clayton, 81, died at home on March 5, 2007. Funeral services will be at 9:00 am on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday March 7, 2007 at the funeral home. Helen was born in Kellogg, IA on May 10, 1925, the daughter of Flora and Wolford Slaven. She graduated from Grinnell High School and on March 1, 1946, she married Graham Clayton. Together they had 4 children. Helen and Graham moved to Des Moines in 1956. Helen was a member of Capitol Hill Christian Church. She loved family fishing outings and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She especially liked to play cards and for many years enjoyed Friday night card parties with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son Gary (Shari) of Brooksville, Florida, daughter Linda Westergaard (Neal) of Des Moines, daughter, Carol Shannon (Rik) of New Virginia, IA, and her son Michael of Collins, IA. She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. In addition she is survived by her brother, Gene of Grinnell, her sister, Thelma of Virginia, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Graham, her sister Beulah, her brothers, Guy and LeRoy, and her granddaughter, Jessica. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Burn Center or to her church for a memorial to be selected by her family.