Helen L. Pratt, age 79 formerly of Colfax, passed away on Sunday,

December 31, 2023 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines.  Graveside

funeral services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:00 am at the

Colfax Cemetery.  The family will greet friends Friday morning at Coburn

Funeral Home beginning at 9:30 am.  They will also greet friends following

the service at a luncheon at the Howard Street Christian Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Howard Street Christian Church or the

Taylor House Hospice.  Condolences may be left for the family

at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

The daughter of Maynard Earl and Violet Loraine (Wallace) Bankes, Helen

was born on January 16, 1944, one mile north of Colfax.  She was a

graduate of the Colfax Senior High School, Class of 1962.  On May 1,

1964, she was united in marriage to David J. Pratt at the Howard Street

Christian Church in Colfax.  Helen worked at the bank in Colfax for several

years and then after the birth of her son, Tim, she stayed at home to be

with him.  As Tim grew up, Helen went to work at the Monroe Table

Company until her retirement.   Helen had a soft heart for anyone in need

and loved to laugh and dance.  She enjoyed dancing and listening to the

music that her brother Sam Bankes, David Pratt and a few other musicians

played in. With Helen being kind hearted, Tim recalls a time when a

customer at a Newton grocery store had fallen and hit their head inside the

store and Helen generously gave her coat to the customer to prop the

individuals head up until paramedics could arrive.  She enjoyed spending

time around the holidays decorating the inside and outside of their house,

especially around Christmas. Helen could always be seen attending many

of her son's school band activities. She enjoyed riding with her husband on

their motorcycle, camping, boating and anything that was outdoors.  She

especially enjoyed taking care of Zoe, Tim's dog. Helen could be found

outside walking Zoe with David or Zoe sitting on a pillow in her lap while

heading into town with David.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband of 69 years, David; a

son, Tim; a sister, Pat (Larry) Cushatt; a brother, Mark (Fran) Bankes and

several nieces and nephews.  Preceding Helen in death were her parents,

and two sisters, Norma Miller and Sue Wallace and a brother Sam Bankes.