Helen Julia Eden was born on April 11, 1915 in rural Louisa County. She was the oldest child of Howard and Frata (Morrison) Eden. She graduated, as valedictorian, from Lone Tree High School in 1933. On August 23, 1934, Helen was united in marriage to Alan F. Latta in Carthage, Illinois. Helen lived a very full and active life. She always looked for adventure, from the time she rode to grade school on a horse and stabled it, to her extensive travels later in life. She and Alan survived the Great Depression, as well as a three and a half year separation during World War II. The people of Lone Tree knew her for her generosity and adventurous spirit. She was especially proud of leading the Lone Tree Girl Scout Troop and being a Life Member of the Girl Scouts of America. She took responsiblity for raising and being guardian to a special needs child from the age of one year to the present. She was also an accomplished seamstress and many people from Lone Tree proudly wore garments she made. After the death of husband, Alan, she traveled around the world, including Kenya, Ecuador, Russia, Australia, and numerous trips to Europe. She also enjoyed visiting family in Tennessee, Georgia, and Montana. She attended numerous military reunions of the 332nd Engineer Regiment in which her husband had served. She kept those relationships for 60 years. When Helen had to leave her home of 30 years in Lone Tree, she moved to an apartment in Iowa City. She was a popular figure there until her health required her to go to a nursing home in Solon. All who knew her would agree that she lived more in her 93 years than any of them could hope to do. Helen will be deeply missed by her children, Jeanne Todd, John Latta and his wife Wanda, Susan Elthon and her husband Ray, Arden Latta and his wife Rebecca, and foster son, James Boxwell; grandchildren, Davene Finkbeiner, Mary Peters, D. Christopher Todd, Monique Stewart, Tanya McCaskill, Joseph Schull, Joshua Latta, Jessica MacNeil, Jennie Tecklenberg, and Stefanie Morarie. Great grandchildren include, Cassidy, Ty, D'Jean, Glenna, Grant, Ray, Zach, Michael, Kyle, Kristie, Logan, Abby, Courtney, Haley, Donovan, Olivia, Elaina, Gracie, Jackson, Avery, and Harper. She is survived by one brother, Fred Eden and three sisters, Gertrude Swanson, Mildred Wilson, and Ruth Dilger. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers; Ralph Eden, George Eden and one sister, Vera Hemmings; and brother-in-law Ray Swanson.
Helen Julia Eden was born on April 11, 1915 in rural Louisa County. She was the oldest child of Howard and Frata (Morrison) Eden. She graduated, as valedictorian, from Lone Tree High School in 1933. On August 23, 1934, Helen was united in marriage to Alan F. Latta in Carthage, Illinois. Helen lived a very full and active life. She always looked for adventure, from the time she rode to grade school on a horse and stabled it, to her extensive travels later in life. She and Alan survived the Great Depression, as well as a three and a half year separation during World War II. The people of Lone Tree knew her for her generosity and adventurous spirit. She was especially proud of leading the Lone Tree Girl Scout Troop and being a Life Member of the Girl Scouts of America. She took responsiblity for raising and being guardian to a special needs child from the age of one year to the present. She was also an accomplished seamstress and many people from Lone Tree proudly wore garments she made. After the death of husband, Alan, she traveled around the world, including Kenya, Ecuador, Russia, Australia, and numerous trips to Europe. She also enjoyed visiting family in Tennessee, Georgia, and Montana. She attended numerous military reunions of the 332nd Engineer Regiment in which her husband had served. She kept those relationships for 60 years. When Helen had to leave her home of 30 years in Lone Tree, she moved to an apartment in Iowa City. She was a popular figure there until her health required her to go to a nursing home in Solon. All who knew her would agree that she lived more in her 93 years than any of them could hope to do. Helen will be deeply missed by her children, Jeanne Todd, John Latta and his wife Wanda, Susan Elthon and her husband Ray, Arden Latta and his wife Rebecca, and foster son, James Boxwell; grandchildren, Davene Finkbeiner, Mary Peters, D. Christopher Todd, Monique Stewart, Tanya McCaskill, Joseph Schull, Joshua Latta, Jessica MacNeil, Jennie Tecklenberg, and Stefanie Morarie. Great grandchildren include, Cassidy, Ty, D'Jean, Glenna, Grant, Ray, Zach, Michael, Kyle, Kristie, Logan, Abby, Courtney, Haley, Donovan, Olivia, Elaina, Gracie, Jackson, Avery, and Harper. She is survived by one brother, Fred Eden and three sisters, Gertrude Swanson, Mildred Wilson, and Ruth Dilger. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers; Ralph Eden, George Eden and one sister, Vera Hemmings; and brother-in-law Ray Swanson.
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