Helen Cecilia Woodard

Helen Cecilia Woodard age 86, of Hawkeye, peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the Mass.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery. 

Friends may greet the family two hours prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Waucoma has been entrusted with Helen’s arrangements.

Helen was born on July 16, 1939, in Waucoma, Iowa, to Joseph and Agnes (Bruess) Schlichte. She graduated from Waucoma High School in 1957 and went on to build a life rooted in faith, family, music, and service to others.

In 1960, she married Paul Woodard, and together they were blessed with five children and although paths later diverged after almost 30 years, holidays were still celebrated with their entire family.

A devoted Catholic, Helen faithfully attended Sunday Mass and shared her deep love of music with her community. A self-taught pianist, she also played the organ, guitar, and accordion. Her musical gifts were generously offered at weddings, funerals, and church services, touching many lives.

Raising 5 busy children, Helen rarely missed a sporting event, concert, or musical and delighted in planning birthdays and making holidays extra special with home-cooked meals, baked treats, thoughtful gifts, and even sewing matching outfits for the kids.  

Helen was actively involved in her community, serving as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, a 4-H leader, and a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Later in life, after her children were grown, she returned to school to earn her cosmetology license. She also spent several years working at Prairie View, a place she truly enjoyed and where she was deeply loved.

She found joy in simple pleasures—being surrounded by loved ones, listening to music, dancing, playing cards, and the occasional poker outing at the riverboat casino. An avid crocheter, Helen lovingly created afghans, doilies, and countless baby blankets and hats for hospital newborns.

Above all, Helen cherished her family. She held a special adoration for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and never missed a birthday, always marking the occasion with a card in the mail and a phone call.

Helen is survived by her five children; Pam Woodard (Pam Johnson) of Urbandale, IA, Paula Correy (Bob Trader) Sioux Falls, SD, Patrice Kuennen (Daryl) Ft Atkinson, IA, Paulette Dagit, Lawler, IA, P.J. Woodard Ft. Atkinson, IA;  Helen was also blessed with eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and extended family members, all of whom will forever treasure her love, kindness and unwavering presence.

Preceded in death by her parents Joe and Agnes Schlichte, her brother Edward Schlichte, and her sisters Lorraine (Tony)  Eichenberger, Rosemary (Donald) Riha, Margaret (Gene) Kleve and Irene (Bob) Weigel.   

Helen’s spunk, spirit, wit and love will be missed by many and will forever be in our hearts.