Helen Quinn, age 95, of Carroll, died October 27, 2023, at St Anthony Nursing Home surrounded by her family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2023 at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. Music will be by Jane Heithoff. Mass Servers will be Lucy Potthoff, Liam Quinn, and Zoey Quinn. Lectors will be Mike Potthoff, Dan Murphy and Luke Quinn. Gift Bearers will be Martin Murphy, Liz Warthan, and Mattie Potthoff. Casket Bearers will be Daniel Murphy, Martin Murphy, Robert Quinn, Michael Quinn, Luke Quinn, Michael Potthoff, Arty Donner, Harry Donner, and Christopher Warthan. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll.
Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church prior to the Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the church for St. Anthony Nursing Home.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Helen’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Helen Mary Carol Busche Quinn was born on April 27, 1928, in Carroll Iowa. She was born in a boxcar home in Maple Park of Carroll. She is the daughter of Anna (Skalla) and George Busche. She attended St. Angela’s Academy until graduation.
On April 23, 1949, she married Robert D Quinn. She began working at Northwestern Bell Company at age 18 and was a working mother throughout her life. To this union were 5 children: Colleen, Dan, Cathy, Mary, and Kelly. They enjoyed entertaining and playing cards with friends. They were active members of St Lawrence Church and Helen was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and St Anthony Auxiliary. In her early years of marriage, she taught physical education at Kuemper High School and worked full time at the telephone company. She was one of the fourteen members that helped start the St Anthony Hospital Auxiliary group.
On January 18, 1960, Helen was an operator at the telephone company for the Miracle Landing of the Lakers Plane in Carroll. She was the operator on line the entire night connecting people to loved ones, to get aid, and to ensure quick communication that all needs were met.
On Feb 2, 1978, Bob died at the age of 52. Helen continued with Northwestern Bell with a move to Des Moines, IA for 9 years. Her job description changed and expanded to Pioneer President. This role took her to Europe and Asia as a spokeswoman for the company. She loved traveling and all the people she would meet along the way.
She began traveling the Midwest for the phone company giving in-service speeches and educational talks to employees in the telephone company about new technology and growth in the company. In 1984 she was chosen by the company to represent them for the 1984 Summer Olympics. She was a lead driver behind the Olympic Torch runner that went from Portland OR to Sacramento CA.
Then in 1988, Helen was given the opportunity to move to Omaha where she settled in with new friends, church, and family. This is where she retired from the telephone company and celebrated her 40 years of service. She became a CCD teacher, Von Maur wrapping employee, and active member and volunteer of St. Leo’s church while in Omaha.
In the fall of 2008, she made a full circle and came back to Carroll where she enjoyed life reminiscing with friends and living close to family.
Helen entered St Anthony’s Nursing Home in January 2019 where the dedicated staff embraced her and made her feel at home. A special thank you to all the staff at St Anthony’s Nursing Home.
Survivors include her children: Colleen Quinn of Omaha; Dan (Sara) Quinn of Columbia, Missouri; Cathy (Scott) Potthoff of Carroll, Mary (Mick) Donner of Dunedin, Florida; Kelly (Greg) Warthan of Redfield; sister-in-law Judy Quinn of Carlsbad, California. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, along with many loving nieces and nephews.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, George and Annie Busche; siblings and their spouses, George (Elyane Montgomery) Busche, Melvin (Maxine Schenkelberg) Busche, Agnes (George) Neil, Clara (Mel) Simon, Florence (Del) Farrell; brother-in-law, William Quinn; and grandson, Patrick Donner; and parents-in-law: Dan and Hazel (Brown) Quinn.
