Helen Bertha (Clemens) Gjerde, 91, of Ames, IA, formerly of Dubuque, IA, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at home in Omaha, NE, with her daughter, Mary Lemke, by her side. Helen spent her final years living in Omaha with her daughter, Mary.

Per Helen’s wishes, there will be no services. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Wayne, in Forest City, IA. The Haudenshield Funeral Home & Crematory in Cuba City, WI, is serving the family.

Helen was born on October 8, 1934, to Wilfred and Monica (Gansemer) Clemens in Dubuque, IA. She was named after her grandmother, Bertha Bornbach. She graduated from Holy Ghost Catholic Grade School in 1949 and later from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1951 (formerly located at 13th and Main St.) and was among the last classes to graduate before the school closed in 1959. She worked as a private secretary at the Dubuque Packing Company.

She married Wayne Gjerde, a United Methodist minister, in Dubuque, IA, in 1962. Throughout his ministry, Wayne served as pastor of United Methodist churches in the Iowa Conference, including Sherrill’s Mound, Burr Oak, Greene, Osage, Ogden, Ottumwa, Le Mars and Beaman/Albion, before retiring in Ames, IA. Helen played an active role in each congregation, working alongside Wayne in nearly every aspect of church life. From teaching Sunday school and helping with Vacation Bible School to serving on numerous committees, organizing church activities and attending to the everyday needs of the church, Helen was always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. A humble and generous servant to her church, she formed many lasting friendships in the communities she called home.

Helen was an avid bicyclist who participated in RAGBRAI numerous times. She was also an enthusiastic runner who competed in local community races, earning first place in her age division at the 1997 Beaman Gemini Run.

Helen had a creative spirit and a wonderful eye for art, fashion and antiques. She enjoyed gardening and baking, and was especially known for her homemade breads. She loved taking long walks in nature, especially along trails where she could enjoy the birds and wildlife. Every year, she planted a large garden and delighted in feeding the blackbirds, much to her neighbors’ objection. She also loved a good garage sale and had a remarkable talent for discovering hidden treasures. Long before buying and reselling secondhand goods became popular, Helen was finding valuable and unusual items at thrift stores and selling them at her annual garage sales. Some of her discoveries were even featured on Antiques Roadshow, while others found their way into museums.

Above all, Helen enjoyed people. She made friends wherever she went and cherished the many friendships she developed throughout her life. Wayne often joked that Helen could go out shopping for groceries and come home with a new friend instead. She loved a good gathering, especially when it brought family and friends together. Her warmth and genuine interest in others left her with friends in every community she called home.

Helen deeply loved her family and treasured the time they spent together. She shared a close relationship with her daughter, Mary, and granddaughter, Margaret. She was also a wonderful sister to her younger siblings and was always ready to help them through whatever challenges came their way. She will be sadly missed by her family and the many friends whose lives she touched.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Mary Lemke of Omaha, NE; her granddaughter, Margaret Lemke; two siblings, Evelyn Clemens of Dubuque, IA, and Cindy (Ed) Krueger of Appleton, WI; a brother-in-law, Charles Gjerde; and 23 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; and four siblings: Bobby Clemens, Joan Monica (Joe) Locher, Mary (Ernie) Skraby and Margaret (Jim) Becker.

In lieu of plants and flowers, a Helen Bertha (Clemens) Gjerde Memorial Fund has been established.

Memorials may be mailed to:

Haudenshield Funeral Home
c/o: Helen Gjerde Family
P.O. BOX 825
Cuba City, WI 53807