Helen Henrich , 81, of rural Merrill, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 12, 2021 at Unity Point Health – St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars.  Reverend Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery – Ellendale, rural Merrill, Iowa.  Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. Joseph Church in Le Mars.  There will be a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the church.  Social distancing and wearing a mask will be required.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Services will be uploaded to the funeral home website following services.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Helen Marie Schmitt was born December 2, 1939 in Early, Iowa, the daughter of John and Bertha (Engel) Schmitt.  She attended school in in Early and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958.  Following high school, she attended business school.  Following her schooling, she worked a turkey production plant and milked cows.

She was united in marriage to Donald Henrich on February 11, 1961 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, Iowa.  They farmed in Sac County, Iowa for several years before moving to an acreage near Merrill, Iowa.  Helen was a bus driver for Le Mars Community Schools for 31 years.

She and Don were members of Assumption Catholic Church in Merrill for many years.  After its closing, they became member of St. Joseph Catholic Church – Ellendale.  Helen has had a love for animals her whole life, especially horses.  She enjoyed horseback riding with her family and friends.  She was active in the Merrill Saddle Club for over 30 years and assisted area farmers with moving cattle.  She was also a 4-H board member for 6 years.  She also enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and playing cards.  She enjoyed trying her luck at the casinos.

Survivors include her husband of over 60 years, Don of rural Merrill, IA; 4 children: Dale (Melissa) Henrich of Wisner, NE, Donna Henrich of Granger, IA, Doris (Brian) Loutsch of Le Mars, IA, and De Ann Henrich of Le Mars, IA; 4 grandchildren: Matthew Henrich, Michael (Tonya) Henrich, Mitchell (fiancé, Jessica) Henrich, and Marshall Henrich, all of Wisner, NE; 3 great grandchildren; her siblings: Cathy Schmitt of Bronson, IA, Ed (Sandy) Schmitt of Early, IA, and George (Sandy) Schmitt of Wall Lake, IA; her in laws: Susan Schmitt of Early, IA, and Butch Blum of Schaller, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Bertha Schmitt; her grandparents: LT and Elizabeth Engel and George and Eva Schmitt; and her siblings: Larry Schmitt, Leonard (Mary) Schmitt, and Fran Blum.