Helena Tank

Memorial service for Helena Tank will be live streamed here.

Helena Marie Tank, age 101, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026.

Helena was born on April 10, 1924, near Carnarvon, Iowa, to Gerd and Grace (Ohden) Gerdes. She attended country school through the eighth grade and carried a lifelong love of learning. Later in life, while her daughters were in school, Helena proudly earned both her high school equivalency diploma (GED) and her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification.

On September 12, 1945, Helena was united in marriage to the love of her life, Clifford L. Tank, in Wall Lake, Iowa. Together they began their life and farming partnership on the Tank family farm near Manning, Iowa, where they farmed and raised their family. For nearly four decades they worked side by side raising livestock and caring for the land until their retirement in 1984.

Helena loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Manning, where she faithfully served as an elder and PW offices. She was also active in Homemakers Club, Garden Club, and Eastern Star, organizations where she formed many lasting friendships.

Helena’s many interests reflected her energetic spirit and love of life. She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, a cracker-jack card player, an avid gardener, and a meticulous housekeeper who took pride in growing beautiful flowers. She enjoyed horseback riding along with golfing in her retirement. Helena and Clifford especially loved dancing together creating memories with friends.

She is lovingly survived by her four daughters: Dian Schons of Mahwah, NJ, Gretchen (Allen) Rowedder of Jefferson, Gwen (John) Detlefsen of Manning, and Becky (Jim) Venner of Breda; Foreign exchange daughter, Bronwen Hart AFS student in 1967-1968 of Christchurch, New Zealand; sister, Esther Bielema of Wall Lake; sister-in-law, Norma Bourn of Woodland, CA; grandchildren: Melissa Schons of Lawrenceburg, TN, Thomas (Pam) Schons of Fair Lawn, NJ, Tracy Rowedder of Harlan, † Heather (Dean) Lansman of Rippey, Phillip Detlefsen of St. Michael, MN, Matthew (Teresa) Detlefsen of Bettendorf, Sarah (Tom) Lloyd of West Des Moines, Justin (Jessie) Venner of Carroll and Jacqueline (Nick) Senske of Roland. She enjoyed 21 great grandchildren.

Helena was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clifford Tank; parents, Gerd and Grace Gerdes; brothers, Rionold (Annetta) Gerdes and Bert Gerdes; sister, Annetta (John) Geerdes; parents-in-law, Louie and Anna Tank; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Robert (Hermanette) Tank, Gilbert Bourn, Mavis Kluver and Henry Bielema; and granddaughter, Heather (Dean) Lansman.

Helena leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, a strong work ethic, and deep love for her family. She will be remembered for her resilience, kindness, and the life she built alongside Clifford on the farm they cherished.

A private burial will take place with the family in the Manning Cemetery.

Visitation with family and friends will be held from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., with her memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Manning. The family will direct memorials.