Helen Joanne Albritton

A Celebration of Life Service for Helen "Joanne" Albritton was held 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2014 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation was one hour prior to service. Michael Finley provided words of comfort. Recorded music chosen was You'll Be There by George Strait and When I Get Where I'm Going by Brad Paisley. A luncheon was held in the Hastings Funeral Home Lounge following the service. Helen "Joanne" Albritton, one of four children of Owen Finley and Violet Black Finley was born May 6, 1931 in Perry, Iowa and died at the Perry Lutheran Home August 2, 2014 where she was currently residing. Everyone knew her as Joanne or Josie. Joanne and her siblings grew up just north of Yale on a farm homestead and she graduated from Bagley High School in 1948. Joanne and her late husband Melvin married in 1951 and two children, Daniel Melvin and Judyth Joanne blessed that union. Joanne worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company out of High School and after raising her children she rejoined the workforce at Overton's Ice Cream Shop. From there she went to work for the Perry Community Schools and retired in 1996. Joanne was a great cook and enjoyed baking sweets for anyone that would show up at her house. She was also known for the many quilts she created and her cross stitch pieces. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, husband of 61 years, Melvin, brother Owen Finley and his wife Connie, and brother-in-law Clarence Borst. Joanne is survived by her son Daniel Melvin Albritton of Farmerville, LA, daughter Judy Mersman of Boone, IA, two grandchildren: Ryan Albritton (Stephany) of Omaha, NE and Scott Kurtz (Michelle) of Urbandale, IA, three great-grandchildren: Andrew Albritton, Kamryn Kurtz and Kayden Kurtz, sisters Leota Shipley (Harold) of Westminster, CO and Mary Borst of Norwalk, IA, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Memorials are suggested to Ames Youth & Shelter Services. www.hastingsfh.com